The deputy headteacher of an Ipswich primary school is running the London Marathon on Sunday – with the aim of his inspiring his pupils to stay fit and active.
The deputy headteacher of an Ipswich primary school is running the London Marathon on Sunday – with the aim of his inspiring his pupils to stay fit and active.
Martin Jarvis, from St Helen’s Primary School, is taking on the race in aid of Action for ME to raise cash and spread awareness of the debilitating condition.
Mr Jarvis’ marathon run comes just weeks after pupils smashed a target set by teachers to run 126km in just 12 weeks to match the miles they ran in the Cambridge Half Marathon.
With six staff members taking on the event, the school’s PSHE co-ordinator David Southgate challenged them to run their combined distance in 12 weeks - the pupils beat it in just seven, raising thousands for good causes in the process.
Mr Jarvis said he hoped taking on this weekend’s marathon would inspire his pupils to continue their active lifestyle.
“Their running challenge was fantastic,” he said.
“At Ipswich Junior parkrun, frequently 10% of the kids taking part are from St Helen’s.
“With the London Marathon the pupils may see it on TV as something that other people do.
“It is about having someone close to them taking part.”
Mr Jarvis, a keen runner, said this would be his first formal marathon event.
“I have run the Orwell Walk before but this will be my first big marathon event.
“I have been running for about five or six years and have run half marathons and other events but always thought I was never going to be interested in the big one.”
Mr Jarvis said he was proud to be running in aid of Action for ME.
“The charity approached me in January,” he said.
“I picked them to run for because I had a friend at university who developed the condition in his third year.
“There are also families at school who have been affected by ME.
“It is an often misunderstood condition so it is great to spread some awareness.
“There are always the big charities that are very visible and well supported at the London Marathon so it is nice to run for one of the smaller charities.”
For more information on Mr Jarvis’ marathon challenge and to donate to his fundraising campaign see www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mjlondon18
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