More than 400 pupils at Moredon Primary school have taken part in a mile-long run to raise awareness of domestic abuse.
The event marked the Swindon school’s achievement of the HOPE Award, part of Society Without Abuse (SWA)’s pioneering education programme for primary schools.
Moredon Primary is one of SWA’s first HOPE schools and completed the award earlier this year. As part of the programme, pupils take part in specialist, age-appropriate lessons focused on what makes a good friendship, helping to build strong foundations for healthy relationships later in life.
School staff have also received specialist training in domestic abuse awareness. The school now acts as a local hub of support for families who may be experiencing abuse or who could be at risk.
The Run For HOPE was created to celebrate schools achieving the award and to reinforce the importance of challenging domestic abuse within the school community.
Children aged 3 to 11 ran together in their classes, either completing the full mile or taking part as a relay. Many wore HOPE’s green and orange colours, helping to make the day feel both positive and purposeful.
Claire Leach, Headteacher at Moredon Primary, said, “As a staff, we found the training invaluable in helping us support our children and families. The programme aligns closely with our school values, and the Run For HOPE gave us a meaningful opportunity to consider how we can give back to worthy causes within our community.”
Emma Maclennan, Children and Families Manager at SWA, said, “The pupils at Moredon did so well in their Run For HOPE and it was lovely to see them running in their HOPE colours too of green and orange.”
She added, “They also raised money for SWA by taking part, actively helping other children in Swindon to recover from the trauma of domestic abuse.”
“Run For HOPE is a really positive and fun way for schoolchildren to remember what they’ve learnt about being a good friend,” Emma said. “Equipping children with this understanding from a young age helps them make good choices around relationships as they grow older.”
“It’s also vital that people experiencing domestic abuse know there is somewhere familiar they can go for advice or help. Schools sit at the heart of our communities, and giving them the knowledge to support families can make a huge difference.”
Schools can find out more and register for the HOPE Programme for 2026 by contacting Emma Maclennan at email hidden; JavaScript is required.
If you need advice for yourself or a friend relating to domestic abuse, you can contact Swindon’s domestic abuse helpline on 01793 610610.
To find out more about SWA, visit societywithoutabuse.org.uk.
