The William Gladstone Church of England Academy has raised over £2,000 in a run for Race for Life.

Children from the primary dressed up in pink on June 21 as part of the national fundraising event organised by Cancer Research UK.

Starting with a target of just £500, the academy did cancer sufferers proud and smashed their goal by almost 400%, with the total money raised soaring to £2,368.

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Students of William Gladstone school who competed in the Race for life with the school raising 2,368 pound..photo'd..back row - Arajus Lukosevicius, Ellie Osborne, Emilia Matthewson, Joris Romancik..Front Row - Maria Fernandes and Reece Crawford. (13678983)

Year six teacher of the school, Sadie Powell, said as a church school, it is important to instil in children values of generosity from an early age and that fundraising for those in need is always a good place to start.

Mrs Powell said with it being the time of year to hold a Race for Life run, the school decided they would organise the event on the school grounds and get everyone involved.

"We wanted to see how much money we could make for Cancer Research because most people know someone that has been affected. So we set a target of £500, but that was quickly achieved and we ended up making well over £2,000," she said. "People have really gone to town this year, we have one boy here who alone raised £300."

The Race for Life is Cancer Research UK’s biggest series of fundraising events in the country involving five and ten kilometre routes for participants to walk, jog or run, as well as their Pretty Muddy obstacle events.

Since starting 25 years ago Race for Life has grown into a well-known fundraiser that has made nearly £500 million towards beating cancer.

Now, adding renowned event to their long list of charity fundraisers, William Gladstone hope to also raise money for more local charities in the future.

"We are going to have this type of event every other year I think, but in the mean time we are coming up with initiatives to raise money in other ways," said Mrs Powell.

She added: "Just seeing everyone involved and dressed in pink was amazing. The children were dumb-struck to the amount of money and I am very proud of them."

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