Under “supervision” from Messers Keown and Campbell, the students, male and female like kicked off a soccer marathon in the school sports’ hall at 6pm that evening. Rations were at the ready to sustain their challenge until 9am the following morning! Apart from sustenance, the students made use of the pool table and computer facilities in between gruelling matches!!

The students themselves explained that the marathon consisted of about 8 teams (5-a-side) who played each other in a league type draw. Registration for each player cost £20, which was sought through sponsorship, enabling a lot of students available for the mammoth challenge.

The beauty of this fundraiser was that, although organised by SVP, the majority of students who participated were not members themselves, but were aware of the purpose and need for the fundraiser.

Mr Keown commented that even before kick –off had commenced, that the students had already raised £ 1,000, a fantastic achievement by the students and staff involved.

Incidentally, the money raised will go towards an SVP nun in Zambia, who runs an orphanage.

Well done to St Mary’s for supporting very worthy cause, and coming up with a very innovative way to raise the funds.

Sarah Jane (Youth Development Officer)