Schools unite in fundraising drive for Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Schools unite in fundraising drive for Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Heacham Juniors - all photos by Ian Burt

Hundreds of schoolchildren took part in a fun run to raise vital money for The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn’s COVID-19 Support Fund.

Pupils and staff from Smithdon High in Hunstanton, Snettisham Primary as well as Heacham Juniors and Infants completed laps of their school fields in the name of a good cause whilst also celebrating the benefits of exercise on health and wellbeing. In total, 952 pupils and staff took part in the fun run across the four schools with the cumulative miles recorded at Smithdon being 1,129 miles (1,818km) while Heacham Juniors recorded 243 miles (391km).

WEB 21IB Fun Run Smithdon 15

Smithdon High

WEB 21IB Fun Run Smithdon 9

Smithdon High

The four schools are part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust and they were joined in their efforts by the Trust's other seven schools in raising a total of £6,000 for the QEH's Covid-19 Support Fund, which was set up to enhance health and wellbeing of staff caring for patients, and contribute towards improving the hospital environment during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

WEB 21IB Fun Run Heacham Infant 8

Heacham Infants

The sum raised by last Friday's fundraising effort, organised by Smithdon High teacher Alysha Moat, will go towards providing outdoor benches at the King's Lynn hospital, enabling staff to relax outside during their break times.

Andrew Johnson, Executive Head Teacher at West Norfolk Academy Trust, said he hopes this becomes an annual event. "We know the last year has been tough for our NHS so we were pleased we had this opportunity to show our support to everybody at Team QEH."

WEB 21IB Fun Run Snettisham Primary 7

Snettisham Primary

The other West Norfolk Academies Trust schools taking part in this fundraising effort were Springwood High in King's Lynn, West Lynn Primary, Clenchwarton Primary, Gaywood Primary, Marshland High in West Walton, St Clement's High in Terrington St Clement and Walpole Cross Keys Primary.

Caroline Shaw CBE, Chief Executive at the QEH, added: “On behalf of all Team QEH I want to say a big thank you to the many students and staff at the West Norfolk Academies Trust for organising the Fun Run and raising money for QEH’s COVID-19 Support Fund.

"The last year has been the most challenging year we have ever faced and to know we have the support of WNAT is a boost for us all.”

Anyone wishing to add to the Trust's fundraising drive can donate until July 21 at justgiving.com/fundraising/WNAT-Fun-Run

The Latest News in North-West Norfolk