Head boy’s special triathlon challenge helps Beccles school smash £50,000 milestone

Head boy Elliott Fenn, with his triathlon team, who raised for Cancer Research UK as part of the school's Leman 4 Life fundraiser. Picture: Amy Smith. (Image: Archant)

The Leman 4 Life fundraiser has been held at Sir John Leman High School for the past seven years, and organisers hoped to break the £50,000 mark with sponsorship from this year's race.

And as a way of doing something special to mark his final year at the school, head boy and sixth form student Elliott Fenn decided to organise his own triathlon to tie in with the race.

The annual Leman 4 Life fundraiser at Sir John Leman High School in Beccles. Picture: Amy Smith. (Image: Archant)

On Wednesday, Elliott completed 50 lengths of Beccles Lido and a 50km cycle ride with a group of teachers, before joining his fellow students for a 5k run around the school grounds, all in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Elliott said: 'I have enjoyed taking part in Leman 4 Life every year since I joined the school. I love running, I have won it four times before and I thought it would be a good idea to do a triathlon and raise even more money on my final year.

The annual Leman 4 Life fundraiser at Sir John Leman High School in Beccles. Picture: Amy Smith. (Image: Archant)

'We started off in the pool and it was raining but it wasn't too bad, but the bike ride was definitely the hardest bit because we got split up. When we got to the starting line at school and they started counting down we were all dreading the run, but it was good because a lot of people where cheering us on.

'I just kept thinking about the charity and the money everyone has given us and it spurred me.'

The annual Leman 4 Life fundraiser at Sir John Leman High School in Beccles. Picture: Amy Smith. (Image: Archant)

Elliott completed the final run in 19 minutes and 21 seconds, coming in fifth place overall.

He was joined in his triathlon challenge by teachers Dan Cable, Toby Gorbould, Liz Hadridge, Tom Love, Stephen Greenwood, Graeme Rockett, James Trenchard and Ali Morton, along with Year 12 student Josh Youngs.

The annual Leman 4 Life fundraiser at Sir John Leman High School in Beccles. Picture: Amy Smith. (Image: Archant)

Graze in Beccles sponsored the team, and so far they have raised almost £1,000 together.

That total will be added to funds raised through the Leman 4 Life JustGiving page, the sale of T-shirts and pupils' sponsorship.

The annual Leman 4 Life fundraiser at Sir John Leman High School in Beccles. Picture: Amy Smith. (Image: Archant)

Elliott said: 'I'm so pleased with how much we raised and I hope that me doing this will inspire other students to do it in future years so I can leave a legacy.'

Community effort

Head boy Elliott Fenn, after completing a triathlon for Cancer Research UK as part of the school's Leman 4 Life fundraiser. Picture: Amy Smith. (Image: Archant)

The seventh Leman 4 Life was held on Wednesday afternoon, as the whole school took part in a 5k run, jog or walk around the field and grounds.

Last year the event raised £9,729, taking the total to just over £49,000.

And teacher Kirsten Remer, who co-organised the run with the Beccles Friends of Cancer Research UK, said they have now smashed the £50,000 mark.

'It says a lot about the school community that in seven years we have reached this milestone and it just shows what you can do with a bit of enthusiasm,' she said.

'It is one of a few things that we can do as a whole school, and its lovely to see the pupils, teachers, support staff and community all come together.

'The day went really well and it is definitely a highlight on the school calendar.'

Mrs Remer thanked the Beccles Friends group, Bungay Black Dog Running Club, Beccles Caxton Club, Durrants, Graze, Britvic, Morrisons, Essex and Suffolk Water, M&H Plastics, Tesco, Travis Perkins, Rosedale Funeral

Home, and Team Lauren Lou for sponsoring or helping at the event.