Who’d have thought running in the rain could be so much fun? Children from the whole of Prep School defied the unseasonal weather to generate their own rays of sunshine during a sponsored fun run round the school grounds.

Pupils from Pre Prep to Year 6 encouraged each other by cheering every group as they set off and by supporting fellow runners along the 1.21 miles of the Pock Run route around the school perimeter. They were also inspired along the way by a series of way-markers bearing motivational messages.

Year 1 teacher and Pock Run organiser Bonnie Steel said: “The Pock Spirit is just amazing and it meant the bad weather wasn’t going to stop anyone doing their best. It wasn’t about the running but about joint effort; it was very special to see the whole school coming together and supporting each other to raise money for good causes. The children are rightly very proud of themselves and have been so excited to hand in the money they’ve raised.”   

Everyone who took part – both pupils and staff – received a special medal made by the Design Technology department, hung by an orange ribbon. Their efforts were sponsored by friends and family, in aid of four charities suggested by the school’s charity reps. The total raised was an impressive £3,155 (so far), which will be divided between Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Pocklington Imagination Library, Save the Children and Cancer Research UK.

Mrs Steel said: “The fundraising effort across the school has been inspirational, with children trying to better the amount they raised for the school walk. Our total did indeed top that amount and I would like to thank parents very much for their fantastic support for this event and all those we’ve held this year. “