Team Wallace on the run during lockdown
Staff and pupils at a Stirling high school are busy pounding the pavements during lockdown to help raise money for local families in need.
The ‘100 miles in May’ challenge was dreamed up by the PE department at Wallace High as part of plans to keep pupils engaged and active while they were away from school and challenges them each to run the milestone distance through the month.
Since the challenge began at the start of the month, the school’s social media feeds have been inundated with pictures of runners documenting their efforts as they enjoy their daily exercise.
The school’s headteacher, Scott Pennock, paid tribute to those behind the campaign - which has seen ‘Team Wallace’ travel a combined 890 miles by the end of the first week alone.
Mr Pennock told the Observer: “We are a nationally recognised School of Sport with a programme that normally includes over 230 youngsters in our junior school.
“Sadly, that’s currently not able to operate in its usual fashion, so School of Sport principal peacher, Rachel Whillans, was keen to work with faculty leader Colin Burke and the wider team to see pupils engaged and active throughout May.
“Out of this grew the 100 Miles in May Challenge, with all participants attempting to keep fit and run 100 miles throughout the month.
“There has been a fantastic response so far, with a great number of our young people and staff getting their running and walking shoes on and sharing their progress on social media.”
However, alongside the benefits of staying active, the gruelling effort will also raise money to help support families with costs when their children head back to the school.
An initial £500 target was set at the beginning of the month, but that goal has already been smashed, with the current total raised sitting at £1355.
Mr Pennock continued: “While there will be important health and wellbeing benefits for those taking part, we know this is a challenging time for some local families so the team were also keen for there to be an added community benefit from the challenge, which is why they set up a JustGiving page.
“Any funds raised will go towards targeted community support for families who face additional challenges when they return to school. This will help us support all pupils to access the fullest range of sport and wellbeing activities, inside and outside of school.
“This is another great example of the school community rallying together and making the most of a difficult situation. We are proud of everyone involved.
“It also perfectly complements the school’s Community Meals Programme, which sees us deliver nutritious meal options to some local families, as we continue to do everything we can to support families during this unprecedented national emergency.”
You can keep track of the efforts of those taking part on the Wallace High PE Twitter page and anyone interested in donating can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/whs100milesinmay?utm_ term=kzn3VJRvD.
We are proud of everyone involved