School’s marathon effort raises £2,000 for cancer charity

08/10/2021
The Riverbank Primary School, P4 pupils

CHILDREN in Aberdeen have raised £2,000 for local cancer charity CLAN after each covering the equivalent of a marathon over a period of a month. 

Primary 5 pupils at Riverbank Primary School were sponsored by family and friends to run or walk 26.2 miles earlier this year when they were in primary 4. 

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CLAN provides emotional and practical support to people across the North-east and beyond affected by cancer. 

Education Operational Committee convener Councillor M. Taqueer Malik said: “This was a fantastic effort by our young children and for such a worthy cause. 

“The whole city can be proud of what was truly a marathon fundraising effort.” 

Vice-convener Councillor Claire Imrie added: “Thanks must also go to all the teaching staff, who encouraged and guided the children, and to the community who proved to be so generous. 

“Cancer touches everyone’s lives and CLAN do a wonderful job in supporting those directly affected.” 

Pupils recalled their excitement. 

Kai said: “Running the Marathon was really fun and we learned about kilometres and measuring distance.” 

Leo said: “I really loved doing the marathon and I never thought about giving up.” 

And Jessica said: “We finished our marathon in Seaton park, created our own medals and got a purple clan bracelet as a finishing prize – I felt tired and proud finishing the marathon.” 

The class were inspired to support CLAN after first being part of the charity’s Little Lights project. 

Riverbank’s model lighthouse was sponsored by company Subsea 7 and the class worked on the design with their teacher Miss Littler and PSA Mrs Coull. 

The theme they chose was “A Day at Aberdeen Beach”, which had become a popular destination for exercise and relaxation during the lockdown. 

The Little Light is on display in Aberdeen Art Gallery along with some other models. 

Pupil Kerin said: “My favourite part was painting the little lighthouse and getting to visit it in the Aberdeen Art Gallery.” 

And Amelia added: “It felt good painting the lighthouse altogether as a class, we worked well together and made something beautiful.” 

Fiona Fernie, Clan’s Head of Income Generation and Business Development and Project Director for Light the North, said: “What an inspiration the children, families and teaching staff at Riverbank Primary are.

“Not only have they engaged with the Little Lights project and collectively created a beautiful sculpture thanks to the kind support of Subsea7, but they have also gone on embrace their own fundraising challenge which incorporated exercise, family, and the outdoors.

“The Riverbank pupils should be very proud of not just their participation but also the fantastic amount they have raised for CLAN which will help to support even more people affected by cancer.” 

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