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Running for @SaferCoaches

Sixteen members of staff and students took part in this years Great Easter Run on Sunday 9 October, in support of the @SaferCoaches campaign.

This year, as well as a number of Sixth Form Sports Leaders providing marshalling services for the Great Eastern Run on Sunday 9 October, fifteen staff and students took part, some of them never having run before; never mind a half marathon!

They have all been training since May and the team spirit has been amazing and encouraging, both leading up to the event as well as on the day.  Everyone was very supportive as they met at the start of the race and again at the end to celebrate with each other.  Many were delighted with their achievements in running the full course and the times they got.

Teaching Assistant, Miss Sandall said “I’d just like to say that the atmosphere was amazing and it was great to run wearing a Jack Hunt vest, as people shouted out, “Go Jack Hunt” all the way round.  This really motivated me to keep going"

 The staff were all massively encouraged by the scores of people who recognised and supported us along the length of the course.  Many shouting encouragement on recognising the Jack Hunt badge on the matching purple t-shirts.  We were running to raise awareness of the 'Safer Coaches' campaign #SafeMeansSafe linked to the Seb Goold Trust* which was set up by his parents following his tragic coach trip accident in 2014, by promoting the twitter link @safercoaches.

PE Teacher, Mr McAuley said “This was my first ever half marathon and I was pleased with the time of 1 hour 51 minutes.  It was a great day with lots of support from fellow runners, staff and students lining the course.  I definitely think it should be an annual thing.  Any takers?  I will be entering another for sure just not sure which one yet.”

 Miss Bracken, PE, was particularly pleased with her result saying “Miss Hinch and I stayed with the 2 hour pacers the whole way round who were really encouraging and kept us supplied with water and jelly babies.  Thanks to their support and that of the hundreds of people lining the course, we both managed to creep under the 2 hour mark.”

Miss Henning from Art, also taking part in her first half marathon commented “The furthest I have run before was 6 miles and was really pleased when I completed the Great Eastern Run in under two and a half hours, beating my target.  As well as the Safer Coaches campaign I was also running for Macmillan Cancer Care and raised over £372 again beating my target of £250.” She went on to say “It was great to see the Sixth Formers as marshalls cheering us on and other members of staff – it was really motivating.  I was so pleased to finish – and no blisters!”

Thanks to all who took part...
Mark McAuley, Lindsey Parker, John Gilligan, Craig Young, Elaine Nash, Gavin Cooke, Nicola Treacy, Martin Barwise, Helen Darlington, Debbie Henning, Paul Mountain, Vickie Bracken, Katherine Sandall, Charlotte Hinch, Tracey Lomas, Tim Smith, Emily Henderson, Karen Ward and students Tom Chung and Khadija Painda.

 

*The Seb Goold Trust

Seb Goold was just nine years old at Easter 2014 when he fell from a moving coach on his way back from a mini Rugby tournament in Norfolk. The Stamford rugby player suffered horrific and life changing injuries which necessitated the amputation of his right leg at the thigh in order to save his life.  After nearly 6 months and 30 operations in Addenbrookes, followed by 3 months at an intensive rehabilitation centre for children in Surrey, Seb finally returned home just before Christmas.  He has now rejoined his twin brother and friends back at school.
  
Before the accident Seb was an outstanding sportsman, challenging himself (as well as his friends and teammates) with his enthusiasm and desire to improve. He always had a great sense of humour and this has been much in evidence throughout his recovery, as has his relentless determination to get better.  He has though had to change his sports ambitions, but is determined to excel in the future at paralympic sports.

 

The Trust have launched the @SaferCoaches campaign to try to get the legislation changed regarding the use of older Coaches, stating that "One in five coaches on UK roads today does not have or need to have modern safety features under current legislation".