SPORTY staff and students across Windsor Academy Trust’s family of schools took part in an epic two-day running challenge comprising two marathons and a 5K fun run to raise funds for the trust’s new charitable foundation.

The two-day event saw more than 40 members of the trust take on the challenge of running between each of the trust’s 10 schools.

Colleagues joined for different legs of the run throughout the weekend, with some, including the trust’s CEO, Dawn Haywood, completing the full 53-mile route.

The runners left at 10am on Saturday May 13 from Halesowen Athletics and Cycling Club before visiting Windsor High School and Sixth Form and Colley Lane Primary Academy, both in Halesowen, then Kingswinford Academy in the Dudley borough, before arriving at the trust’s South Staffordshire schools, Cheslyn Hay Academy and Great Wyrley Academy.

The second day, Sunday May 14, started back at Great Wyrley Academy, with participants running to Rivers Primary Academy and Goldsmith Primary Academy in Walsall before running down to Birmingham to visit the trust’s new free school - Windsor Olympus Academy in Winson Green.

The running party then returned to Halesowen, visiting Tenterfields Primary Academy and Manor Way Primary Academy, before ending at Halesowen Athletics Club for a 5K family fun run and celebration for students and their families.

Dawn Haywood, CEO of Windsor Academy Trust, said the ‘WAT a Run’ event was the first of many fundraisers for the trust’s new charitable foundation - the Windsor Academy Trust Community Foundation.

She said: “I am delighted to have been part of such a fantastic event.

“The money raised will kickstart our fund and will go towards helping disadvantaged young people and their families in our communities, whether that’s funding club memberships for young people who couldn’t otherwise afford to pursue their passions, providing funding for community projects or donating to charities and causes in our schools’ communities.

“It was truly heart-warming to witness the enthusiasm and determination of all our WAT a Run participants.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all those who made the event a resounding success.

“We’re on track to raise our first £10,000, which will enable us to support even more in the communities we serve.”

To add to the fundraising visit https://heartofenglandcommunityfoundation.enthuse.com/cf/windsor-academy-trust-wat-a-run or click on the link above.