School sports day with a difference

DISAPPOINTMENT turned into determination for one local primary school when Cancer Research UK shunned Oldham’s plans to hold Race for Life.

Teachers at Holy Rosary, Fitton Hill, decided to hold their own event, and invited all the children, fellow-tutors and parents to take part.

Three runs took place on Friday , and the first, for Years 1 and 2, was headed by caretaker Michael Bardsley, who launched the day sporting a bright pink jumper.

Head teacher Barbara Morris said: “Some members of staff who were planning to take part in Race for Life had a personal encounter with cancer, or their relatives had.

“They were so disappointed when Cancer Research cancelled the one in Oldham that we thought we really ought to so something, so we made it a school event.”

Youngsters paid £2 each to run or walk the mile out of the school drive, along Fir Tree Avenue and Rosary Road to do a lap of the school playing fields and back for a hot dog and drink.

All 22 teachers took part, as did some parents, who also volunteered to marshal the route.

The day raised more than £200 which will be donated to Cancer Research UK.

The charity cancelled the Oldham Race for Life which should have taken place in Alexandra Park on July 6, because it said not enough people had signed up to take part.