A superstar schoolboy has taken on a marathon challenge to raise almost £1,000 – and counting – for a cause close to his heart.
Eight-year-old Jack Dale set himself the task of running 31 miles over the 31 days of October – during Stoma Awareness Month – to raise understanding of stomas and bring a welcome boost to Colostomy UK, a charity which supports people with stomas and their families.
And right behind Year 4 pupil Jack in his mission are his supportive classmates at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School in Shotton Colliery, who all ran one of his miles with him around the school field.
The children ran wearing purple, the colour of stoma awareness, as the rest of the pupils and staff came out to cheer them on during a special awareness day organised by the school, which is part of the part of the Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust.
The charity is incredibly important to Jack, who himself has a stoma – a medically-created opening in the abdomen to divert bodily waste into a collection bag. Stomas are needed for a variety of reasons and may be temporary or permanent.
As part of the awareness day, every child in Jack’s school decorated a stoma bag and both staff and pupils proudly wore Stoma Awareness stickers to show the school’s support.
Jack, who has so far raised more than £900, was delighted with the support shown to him and the cause. He said: “I think it’s great that school are raising awareness for Colostomy UK and I love that they are supporting the charity.”
Jack’s proud class teacher, Adam McPhail, said: “Jack has really let his light shine with his awareness work and fundraising efforts.
“Jack is inspiring others to achieve, which is one of our mission values. His charity efforts are remarkable and as a school community we fully support Jack in his efforts and are happy to help Jack and his family raise awareness of such an important condition.”
The awareness day was enjoyed by other pupils, who were pleased to learn more about their classmate’s condition and do something to help. Jacob Scholes, also aged eight, summed it up: “It has been great to have a day to learn more about stomas and to raise awareness.”
For more information, please visit www.bccet.org.uk
ENDS
Photo captions: Jack Dale, eight, of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School in Shotton Colliery, running with his classmates.
Pupils of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, who have supported Stoma Awareness Month.
Press release issued by SASS media on behalf of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust. For more information, contact Sarah Dale on 07814 976582.