Pupils at St Mary’s School in Broughton Gifford have gone the extra mile – quite literally – after completing an incredible fundraising challenge on the village common.
The school’s first ever ‘Mary-thon’, held on Friday 23 April, saw children take on as many 1km laps of Broughton Gifford Common as they could, cheered on by families and members of the local community.
It proved to be a truly memorable day, with glorious sunshine setting the scene for a fantastic community effort. After a lively warm-up led by professional fitness coach Francisco Mora from Rustiq Fitness, pupils set off with enthusiasm and determination.
By the end of the event, the children had collectively completed more than 307 laps – the equivalent of an astonishing 7.3 marathons.
For a small school, it was a huge achievement, and the effort paid off in more ways than one. The Mary-thon raised an impressive £3,363 through sponsorship, which will now go towards enhancing the school’s much-loved outdoor spaces.
The school plans to use the funds to further develop its garden, which is already cared for and enjoyed by pupils. New sensory elements will be introduced to create a more inclusive and engaging environment, particularly supporting children with special educational needs.
Additional wildlife and play features are also planned, helping to make the space even more inspiring for outdoor learning and exploration.
The school extended its thanks to everyone who supported the event, with staff saying the day was not only a fundraising success but also a hugely enjoyable experience that brought the whole community together.
