My name is Jo Beard, I am the SENDCo at Holy Rood and enjoy running to keep fit and healthy. I felt like setting myself a challenge for 2025 and thought what better way to motivate myself by raising money to support our school. Schools nationwide are struggling financially with stretched resources. It is important that any fundraising through charities such as this, goes directly towards the children and making their education as fulfilling as possible.

So what is my challenge? I have decided to take part in one race each month for the year 2025. I will take part in a range of races of different lengths up to a half marathon.

Setting myself this challenge is a way of supporting our school, the Parent and Friend Association and the pupils that I work with and support.

Holy Rood staff and parents have recently relaunched the Parent and Friend Association by successfully running discos, film nights and last year we held our first Christmas Fayre. This provided funds to provide extra, exciting and additional provisions supporting the children to lead a fulfilling time at school. We are planning on using the money raised to treat the children to an amazing event that otherwise they would not be able to access!

I'd fully appreciate any support that you can give, whether it's a one off donation or some spare change each time I race. There will be plenty of opportunity to donate or sponsor me throughout the year, so that you can do this when it suits you!

I will keep you updated throughout the year as to how I'm doing and the miles I've run!

Thank you for your support!