Pupils and parents from St Julian’s Church School near Bath have taken part in an amazing colour run to raise over £1,000 for a new adventure playground.
Despite a sudden snowfall the night before, 125 children enjoyed the special event at Wellow Recreation ground, including being put through a thorough warm-up routine by England and UK Athletics Off Track Endurance Manager, Tom Craggs, and top GB Triathlete, Marina Johnson. This was followed by former St Julian’s pupil and now Team Bath Athletics competitor, Gordan Dennes, carrying out a demonstration lap of the tractor-inspired obstacles, designed with the help of Wellow Horse Livery.
Karen Parker, the school’s Head of Sport, set off the children on their colourful run around the field, negotiating their way up, over and around the cunning obstacles. Along the way, the runners became the targets of the throwers, a mix of parents, teachers and Magic Box (Wellow’s pre-school) staff throwing the colouring, which was made from cornflour and food colouring.
Isobel Mills, Head of St Julian’s, said, “This was an event we were not going to miss. I think the throwers had just as much fun as the children!”
After the run, participants enjoyed a barbecue supplied by Somer Valley Butchers, as well as the sumptuous PTA cake stand.
The Chair of the St Julian’s PTA, Alice Lancastle, explained, “We’re always looking for new ways to raise money as a PTA and the colour run was the perfect combination of fun for the children, bringing the village community together and raising money for the school’s new adventure playground. We’ll definitely be adding this as one of our annual events!”
“The total cost of the adventure playground is £30,000 and we have been fundraising for it for the past few years,” added Marchelle Farrell, also from the PTA. “The colour run has brought us close to our target so we hope to have more news soon on when it will open.”