Head set for London Marathon in school fundraiser
BBCA head teacher has been inspired to take on the London Marathon after his school rallied round a member of staff whose husband has pancreatic cancer.
Adam Clewes will pull on his running shoes on Sunday after Helen Vance's husband Ken was diagnosed three and a half years ago, prompting her to raise money for Pancreatic Cancer UK
Staff and pupils at The Crescent Academy in Meir have since joined her, raising about £3,000. Now, with Clewes' 26.2 mile (42 km) efforts, the aim is to double that amount.
Vance, who feels lucky he has lived so long after diagnosis, said: "Being involved with a school like this means I'm even luckier - as any significant cause they get behind wholeheartedly."
Fundraising so far involved a variety of ideas, including bake sales, pupils coming to school in their pyjamas, while staff complete various challenges throughout the school day.
Helen said: "The fundraising started off last year, so it just spiralled and the children have been buzzing".
When he was asked about how his running was going, Clewes told BBC Radio Stoke: "I enjoyed it for recreation and when I was on 18 miles on the hottest day of the year, typically, as part of training I was questioning some life choices.
"I'm hoping that the atmosphere in London that everyone says is amazing will spur me on."
School staff will be making the journey to London to cheer him on along the route.
"When Helen's husband was diagnosed with the pancreatic cancer, everyone thought it was time to look after one of our own," Clewes added.
Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.