FUNDRAISING PUPILS SOCK IT TO POVERTY

This is another article I wrote. It was in The Chronicle on 3rd March 2010. Thought I'd pop it up as well.

FUNDRAISING PUPILS SOCK IT TO POVERTY

Youngsters turned tradaition on its head when they pulled their socks up for a charity challenge.

In aid of Sport Relief, pupils and teachers from Harlow Green Primary School, in Gateshead, bounced their way to victory in a sack race with a difference.

Competitors hopped, skipped and jumped their way to the finish line against staff from from the Team Valley Sainsbury's store inside giant Sports Relief Socks.

Pupils and teachers turned out wearing their silliest socks in order to cheer for, and occasionally laugh at, their friends and work colleagues.

The 'sock race' helped launch the official sport relief sock, which went on sale last month in Sainsbury's stores.

Donations were collected and given to charity, with every penny going towards people living incredibly tough lives both at home in the UK and across the world's poorest countries.

Lesley Steele, head teacher at Harlow Green School said, "Our students jumped at the chance to see their teachers leaping around in a giant sports relief sock."

"The whole school has enjoyed the sock race, and we are all very proud to be supporting Sports Relief, especially the students. Some of the teacher's techniques left a little to be desired, but we'll keep practising."

Russ Walker, Sainsbury's store manager added, "we were really pleased to be able to help Harlow Green School kick off their fundraising. We all had a great time and it is terrific to think that our sock race has gone some way to help transform lives."

Sports Relief is planning a huge day of events at Gateshead's Saltwell Park to raise yet more cash for the cause.

Young and old alike are being invited to join the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile, which is expected to see some 4,000 people taking part in sponsored runs.

Depending on their fitness levels, participants can choose to run either one, three or six miles during the event, which kicks off on Sunday March 21.

Teachers can bulk buy Sports Relief Socks to sell in school by visiting www.sportsrelief.com/socksforschools.

Schools can choose to pay an initial deposit of just 60p per pair and then pay the remainder after the event.