I am running The Great South Run on Sunday 20th October. I would like to support our amazing parents and friends association by raising some much needed funds for The Arnewood School in the process. They want to raise £10000 to replace equipment in an IT classroom.

We know that all schools across England are struggling with funding issues, as parents many of you may have seen the recent piece in The New Milton Advertiser where the fall in school funding across the New Forest was highlighted; I wanted to help in my own small way.

Unfortunately for the school this reduction in funding means staff cuts, a reduction in staff development, less money for resources and bigger class sizes. Despite this, our wonderful staff pull out the extra stops each day to make sure children don’t lose out. I know our Headteacher and chair of governors have been in regular contact with our local MP who has been raising this with the Educations Minister, but we know that no more funding will be coming shortly despite recent promises in the media of more funding next year.

I wanted to ask you as friends, colleagues, family and local people if you would support me in running this event please. I am definitely not a natural runner and this event is a big challenge for me. Even a few pounds will help, please give what you can! Just over a week to go!