The Bay CE School in Sandown recently held a mini marathon as part of its Blue House Community Day.

All secondary students were off-timetable, taking part in a huge variety of personal development opportunities, including CPR training, orienteering, music workshops, completing online portfolios, a ‘Hope not hate’ presentation, drugs/smoking/sexual health workshops, Futures (careers) support, masterclasses, revision and exam support and the mini marathon.

Blue House Community Day was organised by head of Blue House, Gareth Bricknell.

He ran the London Marathon in October (his time was 3 hours 44 minutes) to raise money for The Wight Brainy Bunch. The charity is close to the hearts of The Bay CE School after one of their students was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2019.

Isle of Wight County Press:

The Bay CE School's Matthew Manning taking part in the mini marathon.

Mr Bricknell wanted to inspire students to push themselves and to understand the importance of fundraising and the impact it has on charities.

More than 800 students and staff took part in a 2.6km London Mini Marathon event around the school site, which included some of London’s famous landmarks, The Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace. Throughout the day students also took part in many marathon-themed activities.

More than £700 was raised for The Wight Brainy Bunch, and this figure took Mr Bricknell past his target of £4,000 for the charity for his London Marathon sponsorship.

Kat and Mark Grimes, the founders of the charity, went along to support the Year 7 race.

Isle of Wight County Press:

From left, Kat Grimes, Obi-Nesta Harvey, Freddie Young, Max Jacobs and Mark Grimes at the mini marathon event at The Bay CE School.

One of the other events taking place on the community day was in support of Restart a Heart Day 2021. ATCoRS visited the school and provided CPR training for all Year 9 students, and once again commending the quick action of teachers at the school who helped to save the life of a colleague in 2018.

Each half term there is a Community/Futures Day run by one of the House Leaders.

Students are given a day off timetable to take part in a selection of activities and personal development opportunities.

The next Futures Day is taking place on Monday 6th December with a focus on climate change, health and wellbeing and post-14 and post-16 choices.

Mr Bricknell said: “Well done to everyone involved in the community day.

“Days like this really do show what a fantastic community we have here at The Bay.”

The total amount raised for The Wight Brainy Bunch was £4,357.13.