For the previous 5 years students, staff and, more recently, families, have taken part in Race for Life to raise much needed funds for Cancer Research UK. The event is usually held along Worthing seafront in June and in 2019 over 380 members of Team Durrington took part. The events have always been a highlight of the school calendar and something that we as a team are incredibly proud of. The event in June this year was understandably cancelled, but this has not stopped Team Durrington getting involved for the 6th consecutive year. Staff worked together to come up with a way in which students could take part in a COVID compliant way. This meant that students could feel a real sense of achievement and raise money for this great cause whilst ensuring they were safe.
Students ran in their year group bubbles during their scheduled PE lessons. They were still able, and encouraged, to wear pink and could walk or run the 5 laps of the large Durrington High School field. The students took to the task incredibly well and were inspiring to watch, taking on varied weather conditions spanning from lovely sunshine to howling wind and rain! There were top performers in each year group across the sessions, including year 7 student Lewis who ran the 5km in just over 21 minutes; an amazing achievement. Our wider school community showed generous support by donating to our Just Giving page, raising a total of £2379, plus an additional £426.25 in Gift Aid for Cancer Research UK. The donations really spurred the students on, making them determined to take part. Chris Woodcock, Head of School, said, ‘We are so proud to have taken part in Race for Life again this year, albeit differently to previous years. Race for Life is something we now feel is integral to the school year and so we really wanted to find a way to make it happen despite the circumstances.’ Louise Wallis Tayler, PE Teacher, added, ‘It has been fantastic to watch the students take part this year. It has been especially impressive to see out new year 7s getting involved and it has been a great way for them to bond and start to understand what being part of Team Durrington is all about.’
Year 7 student Greta Hite agreed saying, ‘Race for Life was great. It was good to be able to get involved with something different to usual lessons. I can’t wait to be able to take part again.’ Huge thanks to all the PE staff that enabled Race for Life to take place, our wonderful community for raising so much money and our fabulous students for getting involved and ensuring the Team Durrington spirit continues to be strong even when faced with a challenge.
