PUPILS and staff have crossed the finish line to raise more than £4,500 to support a Knox Academy student with cancer.
More than a dozen people with connections to the secondary school lined up for events at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust.
Knox Academy pupil Archie Hamilton was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma – a rare type of bone cancer – in October last year.
Lana Borwick, a teacher at the Haddington school, was among those pulling on her running shoes.
She said: “The event itself was great.
“The kids did really, really well and all completed their races.
“I think there was a great sense of accomplishment.
“There was a buzz around them when I saw them at their leavers’ dance last week.
“It was a really positive experience and timely that Archie set us off.”
READ MORE: Haddington: School team on the run to help Archie’s cancer fight
Pupils and staff at the school previously tackled the Edinburgh Marathon Festival in aid of East Lothian Special Needs Playscheme.
On this occasion, it was in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, with a target of £3,000 set.
Ms Borwick told the Courier that they had managed to raise more than £4,500.
The acting curriculum teacher – health and wellbeing said: “They smashed that – it’s really positive.”
Teenage Cancer Trust was established more than 30 years ago and provides cancer care and support in the UK to improve the cancer experience of young people aged 13 to 24.
Among those taking to the start line was parent Kelly McInnes, who completed the full marathon in a time of 4hr03m20s.
Ms Borwick was one of nine with a Knox Academy connection taking on the half marathon, which started in Edinburgh and finished in Musselburgh.
She crossed the finish line at Pinkie Playing Fields in 1hr56m24s, with Oscar Pirie (1hr44m20s), Ollie Craig (1hr44m52s), maths teacher Alicia Coyle (1hr50m24s), Jacob Hippee (1hr56m17s), Connor Wightman (2hr09m21s), Sam Hutchison (2hr14m09s), Cain Coles (2hr17m55s) and Callum McBain (2hr32m43s) also completing the course.
Over the 10k route, Leo Harrison (50m19s), modern studies teacher Rebecca Halliwell (1hr01m28s), the school’s curriculum leader – social subjects Robert Flood (1hr02m56s), Olivia Dale (1hr04m07s), the school’s principal teacher – support for learning Jenny Wright (1hr04m18s), Isla Kilkenny (1hr06m24s), Ellen Davidson (1hr13m51s), Gemma Scott (1hr16m34s) and Carys McKnight (1hr16m37s) all finished.
Ms Borwick was pleased to say they were welcomed at the finish line by fellow staff members and parents.
Donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/knoxacademy23
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