Teacher gets marathon inspiration from her pupils

A teacher who is taking on the London Marathon just a week after completing the Manchester Marathon is getting inspiration from her students.

The pupils at Donnington Wood Junior School in Telford have been running their own "mini-marathons" by doing laps of the school playing field to support Rachael Ganderton, who is the school's deputy head.

She said Manchester had been "really tough", but she would be thinking of the children when she runs in London at the weekend.

Ganderton is running the two marathons to raise money for Severn Hospice, which has helped a number of her family members, saying: "Really it's the least that I can do."

The idea for the mini-marathons came from 11-year-old Kyron, who said he wanted to do something after hearing about the deputy head's marathon challenge.

"I thought if we could do one in school, then it would be better for the community and raise money for charity," he said.

They are also raising money for Severn Hospice, and Ganderton said the children had shown a great attitude towards the running.

"They were cheering each other on and it was really really wonderful to see," she said.

Kyron said it had been "loud" on the playing fields, but added: "It's made me feel really happy that I could do that."

Speaking about her plans for the week between the marathons, Ganderton said she would have a lot of rest.

"I've sort of ignored the fact that it is going to be coming up," she said.

"The realisation has hit this week, as I'm struggling to walk still."

But she has run the London Marathon before and said: "I know the atmosphere will carry me through and I know I've got friends and family down there."

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