Doing their girls’ proud in tribute to school friends
THOUSANDS of pounds were raised by pupils who ran the length of Hadrian’s Wall in tribute to two schoolgirls.
Nine students and four members of staff from Ackworth School, Pontefract, completed a relay over the 73-mile stretch in memory of school friends Imogen Young and Alice Greenwood last weekend.
Imogen, 15, was killed in a road traffic accident last October.
The school pupil’s death followed that of Alice, of the same school and year group, who was killed in a motorway smash in 2008.
Both girls had been on a school trip to Hadrian’s Wall together when they were in year 7.
Tom Plant, history teacher at the school, said: “Alice was killed in an accident in Derbyshire in 2008 and when Imogen unfortunately died it was something which brought back awful memories to many of the girls in particular who had been friends with both.
“The idea of the run was to do something positive for the year group. I think they’ve been grieving for a very long time. Now they can go on to continue to celebrate the lives of the girls.”
The staff and pupils ran up to 20 miles each across the relay raising more than £3,000.
And all the pupils who completed the voyage said it was hard work but totally worth it.
Matty Spencer, 16, said: “I feel physically and mentally exhausted but overwhelmed with pride. In many ways this is the greatest achievement of my life so far.”
Pippa Pudney, 16, said: “Knowing I’ve raised money for charities is the most rewarding experience I’ve had. We hope we did our girls proud.”
Raised funds will be split between a bench and tree for the school for the girls, road safety charity Break, and the Imogen Young Trust Fund.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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