Pupils, staff, parents and friends of Wellington Junior School covered an amazing 175 miles during a Swimathon in the school pool, raising over £4,000 for charity.
The Swimathon involved pupils from Reception to Year 6 as well as staff from the Junior and Senior school and parents.
The event started at 5.30 in the morning to allow parents and staff to do their bit for the charity fundraiser, which will benefit the Junior School’s charities; the Stella Community Development Project in Sierra Leone and Cancer Research UK.
The 175 mile distance was chosen to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Wellington School. Last year pupils swam 60 miles to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
“The whole school entered into the spirit of this fabulous fundraising event,” commented Nigel Renyard, Wellington Junior School teacher and Swimathon organiser. “The target was so much greater than last year, but everyone rose to the challenge and the atmosphere was exhuberant and fun.”
“There was a was a special prize for the biggest fundraisers -Murron Humphries and Toby Kibble were allowed to ‘custard pie’ me in assembly!” concluded Renyard.