Pupils pass with flying colours at Ecchinswell and Sydmonton Primary School colour run

A village primary school kicked off its half term break in vibrant style as staff, pupils, parents and siblings all took part in a colourful fundraiser.

Ecchinswell and Sydmonton Primary School held its first ever rainbow colour run event after school on Friday, May 26 on the Ecchinswell Village Hall field.

Organised by the school’s PTA, the event saw schoolchildren running around the field while being pelted with water and coloured powder.

PTA member Cheryl Kingston said: “It was a great success. Everybody loved it.

“[The children] all had a great time and the money that we’ve got coming in is just amazing.”

Of the school’s 55-strong pupil body, 42 took part in the colour run, with some older siblings also getting in on the action as well.

Teachers and parents were placed at different points throughout the course to cover runners with different coloured powders.

Miss Kingston said: “Everyone had so much fun. The children ran round the field as many times as they wanted in an hour and we thought they would have had enough after about two or three runs but some of them kept going and going and going.”

Alongside the colour run there was also a cake and drink sale. The ice cream van pulled up after the run finished as a treat for all the children that took part.

The event was sponsored by several local businesses who helped make it happen.

These businesses were UPVC Expert, Green Tips Tree Surgery, The Flower Plot PYO Sunflowers, The Glass House, PS Auto Valet, CK Kidcare, Red Panda Ltd and Forever Loved Horse Therapy, and many of these had their own stalls at the event as well.

Miss Kingston added: “Our helpers on the day were teachers from the school, PTA members, governors from school, parents and the sponsors. Without their help, it wouldn't have been possible.”

Miss Kingston organised the event alongside fellow PTA members Chloe Perkins and Nicola Reed-Moreton.

The fundraising total currently stands at a little over £300, but with sponsorship still pouring in, the PTA expects the final amount to be around £750.

The money will go towards the general upkeep of the school as well as to buy new equipment and fund school trips.

The next fundraising event organised by the PTA will be the school’s summer fair which will be held on July 8.