Imagine setting your alarm at 4:30am every morning, going for a training jog and then running an entire school for the rest of the day. That is exactly what Richard Gamman, (Headteacher of John Fielding Special School) is undertaking as he prepares for the London Marathon, even during these cold, icy mornings.
Dr Gamman is raising money for a Wheelchair Adapted Vehicle (WAV).
John Fielding is home to children with severe learning difficulties, with some pupils also with an autistic spectrum disorder, epilepsy, a physical disability, sensory impairment, medical needs and/or a communication difficulty.
With the school ethos encompassing the encouragement of pupils to take an active part in the life of the school and to become happy, caring young people capable of contributing to society in a positive way, community visits are essential to prepare pupils for life beyond school.
While the school has two minibuses, they do not have the capacity to transport some of the larger wheelchairs pupils use. This new vehicle will allow these pupils to access the same opportunities as their peers.
To make sure no pupils miss out on enrichment activities, they wanted to secure a WAV immediately, and thanks to some pump-priming funding from the Community Inclusive Trust, they have been able to secure a vehicle. Now, they need to fund raise for the final payment.
The London Marathon is on Sunday 26th April and one of Dr Gamman’s final training runs will be at the Boston Marathon just a week earlier. He will be joined by 10 colleagues and friends of John Fielding Special School who can opt to run either the half marathon, fun run or full marathon distance.
The team running with Richard at the Boston Marathon will be raising money for a sensory garden at the school.
Follow John Fielding Special School on Facebook and Twitter for regular training updates from both Dr Gamman and the Boston Marathon team.
If you would like to sponsor Dr Gamman in the London Marathon for the school minibus, please visit: https://www.kindlink.com/fundraising/community-inclusive-trust-/john-fielding-school-wav
You can also sponsor the team of ten running the Boston Marathon event for the new sensory garden here: https://www.kindlink.com/fundraising/community-inclusive-trust-/john-fielding-sensory-garden
