Sport Relief 2016: Hartlepool runners do their bit to change lives

A team of about 50 students and staff from Hartlepool College of Further Education wore wacky fancy dress and hit the ground running on Hartlepool’s promenade today.

Sport Relief encourages supporters to run, walk or cycle at least one mile to help raise cash for worthy causes.

The college raised just over £100 and awards were given to the fastest male and female runners, who were Shaun Kenney and Tempany Pottle.

And the honour for best fancy dress went to heroic Mary Anne Harman as Supergirl.

Erin Blackett, student enrichment officer, said: “I would like to say a massive thanks to everyone who has participated in the events this week in aid of Sport Relief.”

She also thanked everyone who helped to organise the event including Tina Preston, Kev Fincken, Ian Clarke and public service students who acted as marshals and first aiders.

Pre-school children from Scallywags nursery, based at Brierton Sports Centre, joined in the fun with an hour-long sponsored dance.

Youngsters aged between one and five boogied to pop songs and played with sports equipment in the sports hall.

Play leaders hope to have raised hundreds of pounds for the cause.

Scallywags Brierton site manager Lauren Franland said: “It was something different for them to do and they love to dance even to nursery rhymes. I though doing something sponsored would be different to selling cakes and dressing up.

“Plus we might as well use the facilities we have got being in a sports centre.”

Two dance sessions were held by different groups of children yesterday.

Lauren added: “We are hoping to have raised a few hundred pounds. One little boy said he had raised about £80 and my niece has raised a similar amount.”

The money raised in Hartlepool was part of the millions of pounds made during last night’s celebrity-packed show on BBC One.

It included sketches featuring comedians and sports stars including Michael Crawford, returning as Frank Spencer for the first time in 37 years, Andy and Jamie Murray, David Walliams and Peter Crouch.

Powerful films will reminded viewers how Sport Relief aims to improve lives in the UK and abroad.