Pupils and staff at Kirkby Stephen Primary School have been busy raising money for the Great North Air Ambulance this month with a 10,000 miles in May challenge in memory of a much-loved teaching assistant who died in March.
Anne Dew, who was aged 72, was flown to hospital by helicopter after suddenly taking ill at school.
She spent 20 happy years working as a senior teaching assistant at the Upper Eden school, and, as a mark of respect, staff and pupils decided to raise money for a bench in her memory and for the Great North Air Ambulance Service.
A spokeswoman for the school said: “We have been running, walking, cycling, scooting or even swimming 10,000 miles in May. This was a combined effort from everyone in school – staff, teachers and, of course, our fantastic pupils.
“When setting the challenge, we envisaged a month of sunshine where we could all get outside a lot.
“Instead we have had a month of rain, however this has not deterred the children at all, who have showed determination and dedication to the cause.
“We are incredibly proud of them all and know that Mrs Dew would have been too.
“Each class has hosted a fun run in addition, where children contributed to the total, travelling as many miles as they could in an hour, dressed in fancy dress.
“Mrs Dew was always smiling and we wanted to remember her with a happy event.”
