The staff and pupils of Castle Gardens Primary School in Newtownards are taking part in a “Run a Marathon in May” challenge to raise funds for sports equipment and outdoor play equipment for the school.

The pupils in Castle Gardens complete the Daily Mile and during May they are being challenged to run 100 laps of the school grounds or in the case of the youngest pupils, 100 laps of their playgrounds.

The staff of the school are also getting involved and on Sunday 5 May 2019 three staff relay teams will be running in the Belfast Marathon.

Mr Gray, Mr Stewart and Mrs Ingram are running the first leg from Stormont to Ormeau Park.

Mrs Hutchinson, Mrs McDowell and Mrs Alcorn take over on leg two running from Ormeau Park to the Boucher Road.

On leg three, Miss Kerr, Miss Davidson, Miss Spence run from the Boucher Road to the Falls Road.

Miss Long, Miss McDowell and Mrs McCluskie are running the penultimate leg from the Falls Road to Duncairn Gardens before handing over to Mrs Turtle, Miss Stewart and Miss Martin who finish at Ormeau Park.

If you're reading this, it's likely that you have a connection to one or more of those runners. Your support is greatly appreciated by the runners and your support will help provide valuable resources for the pupils in our school,

Your donation - with Gift Aid if applicable - will make a real difference at a time when all schools are facing enormous financial pressures. Thank-you for any support that you can offer us.

Follow the school on Facebook @CastleGardensNI, Twitter @CastleGardensPS or our website www.castlegardens.org.uk