Exeter Pre-Prep School pupils run quadruple marathon to raise money for local charity

Pupils at Exeter Pre-Prep School in Exminster recently took part in a sponsored fun run to raise money for Westbank, a local charity that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people across Devon.

With 72 children under the age of 7, the school hoped that pupils and staff would be able to run a collective marathon (26 miles) throughout the day, with each class taking turns to run laps of a 100-metre course around the school grounds. However, they actually managed to clock up a combined total of 112 miles, the equivalent of over four marathons.

The top distances were recorded by Benji in Nursery, Joshua in Reception, Rupert in Year 1 and Bel in Year 2, who all ran close to or exceeded an impressive 5km throughout the day.

The children were then asked to collect sponsorship from family and friends over the school holidays. In total, they raised an amazing £1,423.50 for Westbank.

Headteacher Daniel Ayling said: “I am so proud of all the children for their fantastic efforts and the spirit with which they embraced this challenge. We are all delighted to be able to support our friends down the road at Westbank.”

Receiving the donation on behalf of Westbank, Katie Elliott, Head of Fundraising and Marketing, said: “It was great fun watching the children run laps around their school in The Avenue, just across the road from Westbank’s Wellbeing Centre in Exminster. It was lovely that they took on this challenge for us. It’s no mean feat to run that kind of distance at their age, and we’re very grateful for the money they have raised. It will be put to very good use supporting the most vulnerable in our community.”

Founded in 1992 as The New School, Exeter Pre-Prep is an independent school for girls and boys aged 3-7 in Devington Park estate in Exminster. The school changed its name in September 2023 after joining the Exeter School family in 2021.