Hartlepool teachers to get muddy in Daniel's memory

A team of Hartlepool primary school staff are getting ready for the toughest challenge of their lives in memory of a former pupil who touched their hearts.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Aug 2016, 06:00 BST
Fitness Instructor Roz Charlton (front centre) with Stranton Academy staff as start their training to complete in a Tough Mudder 2016 challenge in memory of a ex pupil Daniel Sullivan.Fitness Instructor Roz Charlton (front centre) with Stranton Academy staff as start their training to complete in a Tough Mudder 2016 challenge in memory of a ex pupil Daniel Sullivan.
Fitness Instructor Roz Charlton (front centre) with Stranton Academy staff as start their training to complete in a Tough Mudder 2016 challenge in memory of a ex pupil Daniel Sullivan.

Fourteen staff members from Stranton Primary School will undertake the Tough Mudder 2016 challenge in the Midlands.

They are doing it in memory of pupil Dan Sullivan, who died aged just seven in 2012 from a rare and aggressive form of leukaemia.

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Stranton Academy Headteacher Neil Nottingham starts his press up work under the watchful eye of fitness instructor Roz Charlton as he and his staff become fitter.Stranton Academy Headteacher Neil Nottingham starts his press up work under the watchful eye of fitness instructor Roz Charlton as he and his staff become fitter.
Stranton Academy Headteacher Neil Nottingham starts his press up work under the watchful eye of fitness instructor Roz Charlton as he and his staff become fitter.

The money they raise will go to Dan’s family’s chosen charity Believe In Magic which helps spread magic to seriously and terminally ill children in the UK through special and once in a lifetime experiences.

It is the same charity that allowed Dan to appear on stage with pop star Jessie J.

Neil Nottingham, headteacher of Stranton Primary School, said: “When Daniel sadly lost his life, I said that as a school we would do something annually to remember him by. This has included a marathon golf event in 2014.

“This has to be our toughest challenge yet, but when I suggested it to staff a large group stepped forward and said they would give it a go!

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Dan SullivanDan Sullivan
Dan Sullivan

“We now have 14 staff taking part in the challenge at Belvoir Castle, near Lincoln, and I am so proud of each and every one of them.”

Tough Mudder is a team-oriented 10-12 mile obstacle course designed to test physical strength and mental grit.

The course will see the team crawl over muddy fields, cross water and walk through a curtain of electrified wires.

Mr Nottingham added: “For all some are nervous and very apprehensive of some of the obstacles, especially the ice cold water and the electrocution, they are all really going for it and giving their all.”

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Stranton Academy Headteacher Neil Nottingham starts his press up work under the watchful eye of fitness instructor Roz Charlton as he and his staff become fitter.Stranton Academy Headteacher Neil Nottingham starts his press up work under the watchful eye of fitness instructor Roz Charlton as he and his staff become fitter.
Stranton Academy Headteacher Neil Nottingham starts his press up work under the watchful eye of fitness instructor Roz Charlton as he and his staff become fitter.

The staff are being put through their paces in intense fitness classes twice a week in school by PT instructor Ros Charlton.

They are also undertaking extra training sessions at Mill Mouse Leisure Centre and gyms around the town to make sure they are ready for the challenge on May 21.

Any individuals or local companies can sponsor the team by visiting their Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/Stranton-School.

Related topics:HartlepoolMagicLincoln