A SCHOOL teacher from Redditch is in training to raise £2,000 for the charity Children with Cancer UK – by running the London Marathon.
Kelly Higgs from Matchborough teaches at St Francis C of E School in Bournville and has been inspired by one of the pupils in her class who is battling the disease.
The youngster, Ben, has already touched the hearts of millions after being the official Wembley mascot for the England match against Spain, when captain Harry Kane was presented with the Golden Boot for being top scorer at the World Cup.
“Ben is in my current class and is undergoing treatment,” she said. “I am privileged to be his teacher and my life is richer for having met him.
“I want to help raise money for this important charity and to help work towards the day when all children affected by cancer are able to ring their end-of-treatment bell.”
Kelly has been selected to run the London Marathon on Sunday, April 28, and has set her own personal target for the charity and hopes to inspire the rest of her school and parents to join her on her journey.
“On February 1, I’m doing a 24-hour fundraising event, during which I’ll complete the distance of a marathon,” said Kelly, aged 33.
“I will run the 13 miles from my home to the school and then complete the remaining miles over 24 hours.
“We are a ‘daily mile’ school and try and do as much exercise as possible and I aim to involve as many children, staff and members of the school community as possible.”
However it’s very much a step into the unknown for the schoolteacher who got into running after watching an episode of Britain’s Got Talent and seeing how one of the contestant’s coped after being taken out of their comfort zone.
“A practice run is planned for this Sunday and there will be a support car of colleagues with me passing over the essential jelly beans to keep me going,” said Kelly.
So far she’s raised £1,600 towards her total and hopes to smash that and raise even more money to help children battling cancer.
To support her, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KellyHiggs .
