St. Matthew’s Primary celebrate a win with almost a quarter of pupils entering the town’s heritage race
Whilst gearing up to the 2020 Essity Prudhoe Miners Race, let us take a moment to celebrate the awesome achievement of St. Matthew’s Catholic Primary School, who had 30 of their 130 pupils take part in the race.
Town Mayor, Cllr Tracy Gilmore was delighted to present the school with a cheque for £100 on behalf of Prudhoe Town Council. When addressing the school assembly on Friday 7th February, Cllr Gilmore asked who would be entering the race this year, many more hands shot up, showing that the pupils and the school are heavily invested in this community event.
Headteacher Mr Gray said “’We’re incredibly proud of all our young people who took part in the Miners Race, on what I recall was a pretty atrocious day weather wise! We’re also really grateful to the Town Council and to Essity for their generous reward-they will go towards our exciting playground renovation.”
Cllr Gilmore congratulated runners and promised that the 2020 event, being held on Sunday 20th September, wouldn’t be wet and muddy like last year, and would be bigger and better thanks to local running club Prudhoe Plodders, race organisers for the second year.
Cllr Gilmore introduced Holly Kelleher, representing Prudhoe Plodders, and encouraged the young people to try out Prudhoe Junior Parkrun, held at Prudhoe Riverside on a Sunday morning. Those 12 and over could also take part in the Prudhoe Easter Egg 5km on Saturday 18th April. Prudhoe Plodders are a local running club who focus on complete inclusivity and development of athletes of all abilities and are the perfect partner for the Essity Prudhoe Miners Race.
Speaking of perfect partners, Essity has been heavily involved in the Miners Race since 2012.
Cath Frost representing Essity said “having been involved as main sponsor since 2012, it’s been great to see the Miners Race go from strength to strength. But what is particularly satisfying is the growing number of community fun-runners and youngsters taking part – since promoting hygiene and health for all is core to what Essity stands for.”
Cath was a very welcome guest of St. Matthew’s, especially when she gave the young people a keep-sake, ‘Kenny the Koala’, the cute face of the Cushelle range. Essity also agreed to match the £100 monetary incentive from the Town Council.
St. Matthew’s have big plans for their outside space, recognising that being active and enjoying the great outdoors helps promote social and emotional well-being. This is something the school has high on its list of priorities and these funds will be directed towards this.
The relaunched, Essity Prudhoe Miners Race, is the legacy event of the London 2012 Olympics and although Tokyo, Japan is a lot further away than London, we hope the Olympic spirit will inspire record numbers on Sunday 20th September.
(Photograph courtesy of Tony Bradley)
Left to Right
(back row) Holly Kelleher, Mayor, Cllr Tracy Gilmore, Cath Frost
(front row) Zach Harrison, Abbie Harvey, Stan Toogood, Phoebe Mulligan, Willow Black, Thea Fenwick, Kenny Koala
