Students raise £1,600 for Macmillan in Birmingham 10k run

Grace Academy Sixth Form students have put their running shoes to the test by taking on the Great Birmingham 10K Run to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

After completing the run, six students and three members of staff from the Academy had raised over £1,600 for Macmillan which aims to support and help those who have been given a cancer diagnosis.

The students trained every night by running in Chelmsley Wood’s Elmdon Park and improving their fitness with Badminton sessions at their Academy.  Student Courtney Murphy, who reached the finish line, said:

“I decided to complete the run for my mum who has just completed treatment for cancer.”

The Sixth Form students chose Macmillan Cancer Support as their charity of the year for 2016, and the 10K run is one of a number of activities they will be undertaking to raise money for the cause over the next few months.

Liz Sheils, Fundraising Manager for Macmillan in Solihull, said:

“We are so grateful to the students and teachers at Grace Academy Solihull for supporting Macmillan as their charity of the year, and undertaking this fantastic challenge!

“Every day in Solihull alone, 33 people are diagnosed with cancer. We want to be there to support as many people as possible through our emotional and practical help, including our support line, local cancer care and our Macmillan Nurses.

“Without the support of local schools like Grace Academy, we simply would not be able to fund these vital services needed to support those affected by cancer. Thanks to this fantastic donation, we can ensure that more people are not alone. Thank you to everyone at Grace Academy Solihull!”

Julie Baker, Assistant Head of Sixth Form, said:

“We chose Macmillan Cancer Support as our chosen charity for the year because we want to improve the lives of people living with cancer.  It has touched most people in some way, and has also affected some of our students who took part in the run.”

The students who completed the 10K run from Grace Academy Solihull were Courtney Murphy, Harriette Bird, Libbie Murray, Beth Wadley, Leah Taylor, and Terri Ann Fortey.  The teachers were Matt Godwin, Vice Principal, Sarah Curtis, and Julie Baker, Post 16 Manager.