Story added: 3rd July 2024

Run Ashleigh raises £11,000

On Friday 24th May, students at Ashleigh Primary School took part in a ‘Run Norwich experience’, right on their own school field.

Prior to the day of the event, members of the Foundation fundraising team visited the Wymondham-based school to deliver an assembly, inspiring the children using the story of Anya Culling, who was the first female over the line in Run Norwich 2022.

Following their initial meetings with the Foundation, Ashleigh Primary School expressed their interest to get further involved with the charity, and after a few discussions, the concept of ‘Run Ashleigh’ was formed.

The event would see the children of Ashleigh Primary School get involved in their own fundraising running event, with a £50 voucher prize to the student who raised the most money for the charity.

The Run Ashleigh race course took the 440 participants – both students and staff – on laps around the school field, with the official Run Norwich start and finish gantries used to give the event an authentic race feel for the excited primary school pupils.

With the sun shining, both the participating teachers and children – from reception age all the way through to Year Six – were soon out on the course, with the rest of the students lining the perimeter of the field cheering them on. The children were split into year groups to take part, with half of each age group pulling on their running trainers and taking part, whilst the other half creating cheer stations, using their handmade banners and signs to push their classmates towards the finish line.

There were smiles all round at the finish line, with every child receiving a congratulatory certificate, and students who’d fundraised a certain amount also getting a medal, pennant and Run Norwich branded bag. There were also opportunities for the pupils to have photos taken with both the Run Norwich trophy and with Foundation mascot, Sportysaurus.

In total, the event raised a phenomenal £11,000, with the total split equally between the Foundation and the primary school.

Head of Fundraising, Emma Fletcher-Dungay, was over the moon with the success of the event:

“A massive thank you to Ashleigh Primary for allowing us to use their school as a pilot to an idea we have been wanting to deliver for a few years. With the introduction of Junior Run this year, we felt it was the right time to take it on the road. The money that has been achieved through fundraising is outstanding, this money will not just benefit the Foundation but help the school.”

Headteacher at Ashleigh Primary School, John McConnell was also delighted:

“Run Ashleigh was a huge success. I was bowled over by how the community came together to raise so much money whilst also getting active, keeping fit and having fun!”

If you know any school that would be interested in learning more about this event, or wants to know more about how we can help raise funds together, please contact [email protected]