Teacher duo pounding streets and hills of Burnley and Pendle in 50 mile charity challenge

Friends and colleagues Franchesca Smith and Sarah Brown have been clocking up the miles for a cause very close to their hearts.
By Susan Plunkett
Published 24th Sep 2020, 12:30 BST
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For Sarah, who is the reception class teacher at Wheatley Lane Primary School in Fence and Fran, who is her teaching assistant, have challenged themselves to run 50 miles in September.

And their efforts are for the Children's Society, a charity that fights child poverty, neglect and supports disadvantaged children to have better lives.

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And to date Sarah has clocked up 37 miles and Fran 34.3. The caring duo are now just £35 away from hitting their £300 target.

Colleagues Sarah Brown (right) and Franchesca Smith are running 50 miles this month to raise money for The Children's SocietyColleagues Sarah Brown (right) and Franchesca Smith are running 50 miles this month to raise money for The Children's Society
Colleagues Sarah Brown (right) and Franchesca Smith are running 50 miles this month to raise money for The Children's Society

Sarah saw the challenge on facebook and decided she wanted to do something to help vulnerable children who may be suffering due to Covid 19 and the effects of lockdown.

When Fran heard what Sarah was doing she decided to join her and while they both like to keep fit this challenge has certainly pushed them both out of their comfort zones.

Sadly covid restrictions mean they cannot run together as Fran lives in Burnley and Sarah in Pendle.

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But support from their colleagues, pupils, family and friends, including Fran's husband Phil and their children, Will (16) and 11-year-old Chloe and Sarah's husband Al and their children, Will (13), Isla (12) and eight-year-old Clara has spurred them on.

And the duo are planning to run a mile with each of their children joining them to complete the challenge.

Related topics:PendleBurnley

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