Schools, supermarkets and fitness buffs help Dartford and Gravesham contribute to record breaking Sport Relief total
Published: 00:00, 21 March 2016
Updated: 09:39, 21 March 2016
Schools, supermarkets and fitness buffs all helped Dartford and Gravesham contribute to Sport Relief’s record breaking £55m total.
Staff, shoppers and schoolchildren joined Mayor Mick Wenban at Sainsbury’s Pepper Hill to pedal a total of 231.8 miles on Friday morning, making up the total distance between all of the supermarket’s Kent-based branches.
Among those taking part were pupils from Painters Ash Primary School, David Taylor and his son George who lead the Gravesend Poppy Appeal, customers and staff.
Even the new store manager Duncan Lewis put in a few miles, accompanied by Gravesham mayor Mick Wenban.
The cycle challenge was one of several fundraising activities held throughout the week in the superstore.
Another crowd-pleaser was the Boogie Bounce mini-trampoline demonstration by Fit2Flirt.
People were able to donate money to Sport Relief through bucket collections and the purchasing of official merchandise.
Elsewhere, youngsters at Rosherville Primary School ran a mile to raise money.
The ‘Mile With A Smile’ event saw them take to the school playground to run a mile while wearing their cheesiest grins.
Year 9 students at The Leigh Academy ran a mile in their best fancy dress outfits at lunchtime on Friday.
Among the athletes on show were Minnie Mouse and a brilliantly dressed team of Tetris blocks.
Youngsters were also given the enviable opportunity to sponge their teachers — the stuff dreams are made of.
Wentworth Primary School also got involved in the fundraising fun, with pupils invited to dress up in red for a special non-uniform day.
Ekemini Umoren, 6, Gracie McCarthy, 7, and Evan Hamilton, 6, were not deterred by Arsenal’s recent form as they proudly posed for photos in the club kit.
Elsewhere, Bean Primary School worked up a sweat with a fun run.
Staff and pupils were covered in paint and powder as they ran round the school playing fields to see out the week.
A weekend of fundraising fun came to an end with the traditional run along Gravesend’s Promenade.
See more pictures in this week's Gravesend and Dartford Messengers.
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Tom Acres