TWO hardy school staff are to take on the hills of Teesdale to help give their pupils a new learning space.
Teacher Alex Dougall and teaching assistant Tracey Tallentire will run five half-marathons in five days during Whit Week to help St Mary’s Primary School, in Barnard Castle, raise money for a “nurture pod”.
The £10,000 outdoor zone will give children a chance to spend some time away from the classroom and learn in quieter surroundings.
The pair will set off from High Force on Tuesday, May 29, before snaking their way around the dale in 13.6 mile chunks.
They will return to the Birch Road school on the Saturday after clocking up 68 miles each.
Mrs Tallentire, who is a member of Evenwood Road Runners, said she was looking forward to a grandstand finish with parents and friends joining them on the final half mile stretch.
She said: “We’re hoping to meet children and parents at The Bowes Museum so they can run the last half mile back to school with us and celebrate when we get back.”
The 47-year-old, from Barnard Castle, has run a half marathon before while Mr Dougall, 26, will call on his years playing semi-professional football to help him along.
“Originally, Alex was only going to do one but I talked him into it all,” added Mrs Tallentire.
Road Runner members Andrew Laybourne and Gary Atkinson have helped the pair plot their course.
Their training regime is already well underway but both feared how they’d cope once the first two runs were done and dusted.
“Trying to get up for day three could be tough,” said Mr Dougall.
“Coming back to school on the Monday after one day’s rest could see me creaking around the classroom.”
Mrs Tallentire urged supporters to come and join them for a mile or two once their challenge gets going.
“We already have a few friends and our colleague Ali Mawer coming along,” she said.
“It’s such a beautiful place to run – even though there may be a few challenges on the way.”
Mr Dougall teaches years one and two at the school and hoped the pod would offer children who fell behind in class a place to catch up.
“In classes we have interventions where perhaps children who are struggling a bit can go and work in small groups away from the typical classroom,” added Mr Dougall.
“It gives them a bit more focus for one-on-ones from members of staff.
“It’s something that’s very close to home and personal to us – lots of kids would benefit from having a space outside.”
Parent Joanne Kemp-Ambler praised the school for its pod bid and the help staff had offered her son James.
She added: “What a fabulous resource this will be. James’ beloved dad died and he has been nurtured and looked after by the most amazing team of staff.
“He would love to spend some quiet time in here when things get tough as they often do.”
A target of £2,000 has been set by the pair to go towards the learning pod.
Grant applications with the County Durham Community Foundation, the Big Lottery Fund and donations from dale folk are earmarked to make up the rest of the costs.
To donate to the cause, go to: https://www.justgiving. com/crowdfunding/stmarys nurturepod.
