Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy fundraiser for Cancer Research UK raises over £4800!

Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy staff and children have backed a teacher’s efforts to raise money for Cancer Research UK by taking part in Nottingham’s Pretty Muddy Race for Life 5KM at Holme Pierrepoint.

To date their fundraising effort has raised a whopping £4865.50!

The school participated in similar fundraising for Cancer UK last year, as organiser, Fliss Pitts (Year 6 Teacher) explained. “Following the success of last year’s Pretty Muddy Race for Life 5KM event which saw 12 Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy staff members taking part and raising £2500, the school wanted to join this year’s efforts and raise even more money.

“This year 22 of our children joined 16 of our staff members who chose to run, walk or jog the 5-kilometre course. They overcame many obstacles along the way, getting covered head to toe in mud and water! Faces were covered, shoes were squelching and many laughs were had by all!”

Photograph: Some of the Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy children who took part, proudly holding their Pretty Muddy Race for Life medals.

Fliss Pitts said she is grateful for the support the fundraiser has received, saying, “Raising money for Cancer Research UK is something very personal to me. In March 2025 my cousin was diagnosed with terminal cancer and sadly died on 5th May this year. She left behind a heartbroken family including a husband and two daughters age 3 and 5 years old.

“In addition, a colleague and former school staff member Karen Wardhaugh, was also given a similar diagnosis at a similar time, and also, a former pupil, Louie Pickles, is also undergoing a battle against cancer. These instances of our friends, family and colleagues facing such diagnoses galvanised us to want to raise as much money as possible.”

Pupil Ellie is in year 6 at Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy and raised an astonishing £1062 of the total saying, “I can’t believe I have raised so much money. I am so proud of what I have achieved.”

Fellow pupil Harvey- Lee (year 4) brought some talent and enthusiasm to the day and crossed the finish line in an amazing 34 minutes, placing him in the top 12 fastest finishers!

The team at Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy are now tantalisingly close to doubling last year’s total and have a fundraising page, should anyone wish to support their efforts: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/team-bilsthorpe

Photograph: Good sports! Year 6 Teacher Fliss Pitts with Ellie and Ella from year 6 at Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy