The PTA at St James's Primary School & Nursery Unit Whiteabbey tries to respond to the needs of the school and its pupils, and is presently focusing its attention on the improvement of the school's library facilities.

The PTA also assists the school with the funding of its Accelerated Reader literacy scheme.

To raise funds for these particular purposes, two teams of parents and friends of the school are taking part in the Belfast Marathon relay on 5 May 2019.

TEAM ONE: (1) Gareth McGrillan (2) Bridgeen Barbour (3) Emma Stewart (4) Mark Ashbridge (5) John Stewart

TEAM TWO: (1) Francis Lennon (2) Donal Sayers (3) Ita Weir (4) Tona O'Dowd (5) Danielle McMillan

If you're reading this, it's likely that you have a connection to one or more of those runners. Your support is very much appreciated by the runners; but more importantly, you are helping to provide extremely valuable resources to the pupils for whose benefit those runners are taking on the challenge. Your donation - and Gift Aid if applicable - will make a real difference at a time of extraordinary financial pressure on schools.

We are enormously grateful to you for your generosity.

Follow the PTA on Twitter: @stjamespspta