Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust are hosting a month-long challenge to get its pupils, staff and school communities active once more and raising money for local charities in Wirral.
The May Mile will launches this week at all six primary schools in the Trust including Brackenwood Juniors, Church Drive Primary, Egremont, Great Meols, Poulton Lancelyn and Stanton Road.
CEO of the Trust, Tony Lacey, developed the challenge to encourage people to run, walk, swim and cycle as much as they possibly can.
Mr Lacey said: “As head of the Academy Trust I am responsible for around 3000 people and I am concerned about health and wellbeing following the lockdowns.
“I am also a parent and I’ve seen first-hand how my own fitness levels and that of my family’s has dwindled as we’ve been locked-down.
“I got together with the heads of my schools and we collaborated to create this lovely event, which is also the first cross-Trust fundraising initiative we’ve ever done.
“We’re not here to set targets or use a heavy- handed approach; people can do as much or as little as they want to, but we see it as a good opportunity to introduce a bit more everyday physical activity back into our daily lives.”
The pupils voted for Claire House and Wirral Food Banks to be the worthy recipients of the fundraising challenge.
A number of famous faces have already sent in messages of support for everyone attempting The May Mile including former England cricketer and commentator Michael Vaughan OBE and CBBC Newsround presenter, De’Graft Mensah.
Michael Vaughan OBE said: “Good luck to everyone taking part in The May Mile. Please support Mr Lacey and raise as much as you can for the charities.”
De’Graft Mensah from CBBC’s Newsround, said: “I think The May Mile is incredible. I am a running fan myself and I love a bit of running so get your running shoes on, do your warmups and try as hard as you can. I know you can do it and that you will all smash it.”
Hundreds of family, friends, carers and other people within the school communities are expected to take part in the challenge.
Clare O’Connell has three sons at Great Meols Primary and says that the family have participated in less sports over the pandemic.
She said: “With football, cricket and swimming clubs on hold, and trying to stay at home, it was difficult to keep our fitness up so the May Mile challenge is going to focus our minds and energies on increasing our activity levels and getting some fitness back! We’re targeting 250 Miles between the five of us and hope to raise lots of money.”
Six-year-old Malachi Areola attends Church Drive Primary school and loves to keep active by running, jumping and climbing.
He said: “Before lockdown I was learning to rock climb and have missed it because it was a lot of fun but because I couldn’t climb, Mummy me to stilt walk. For the May Mile challenge, I want to do as many miles as I can walking with stilts and rock climbing for charity.”
Seven-year-old Noah Foddy and nine-year-old Harrison Foddy also attends Church Drive Primary school. They enjoy going out on their bikes with their runner Dad as ‘pacesetters’ for him. The family will be walking, biking and playing football in the park for their May miles.
Mum, Michelle, said: “After this year’s long lockdown, this is the perfect opportunity for us to get back to being active and it will also be fun for us all to work towards a target together as a family.”
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