Noel Thatcher (Paralympian), Mike Jackson, John Macnamara (Forest parent and world record team captain), Mark Clark (Forest parent and world record team member):

Record-breaking Snaresbrook runners hand money raised to disabled sports foundation

Lizzie Dearden, Reporter Tuesday, November 20, 2012
9:00 AM

The team of parents, pupils, teachers headed by a former Paralympian who broke a running world record in Snaresbrook earlier this year have handed their sponsorship money to charity.

The 12-strong group from Forest School smashed the previous record for the longest distance run on a single treadmill in 24 hours by nearly 15km, with a total of 437.7km.

They were cheered on by the school as they ran a constant relay in a marquee in the playing field in College Place in July.

Record-breaking partially-sighted runner and Paralympian Noel Thatcher, who is a patron of the school, joined his former team-mates to hand a cheque for £4,317 to the Essex Disabled Sports Foundation last week.

Founder Mike Jackson said: “We really appreciate the school’s efforts, and I am so pleased that we are able to share this occasion with the children here today.”

Mr Jackson wore his London 2012 torchbearer uniform for the occasion and showed children a replica Olympic torch.

The Essex Disabled Sports Foundation raises money for sporting equipment and opportunities for disabled children.

The other half of the £8,500 raised by the world record attempt will go to a school scholarship programme.