THE first official Savernake Forest fun run is calling on runners to help raise funds for a much needed classroom at St Katherine’s School.

The fun run, set to take place on July 9, will be starting from St Katherine’s and leading participants through the picturesque surrounding of Savernake Forest. Advertised as a family event, the run will be raising money for a fourth classroom at the small St Katherine’s School so classes won’t have to be held in the school hall.

Niki Jones, headteacher at St Katherine’s, said: “We have been oversubscribed and we do need another classroom for Year 6. We have been taking on more reception children due to an increase in popularity so we have needed to redesign the internal space. It has been a complex process as we couldn’t get funding for the classroom. It wasn’t until recently when a member of the PTA, Laura Bone, said she would organise the run for the additional funds. It is quite exciting.

“At the moment Year 6 uses the hall as a classroom. We have an interactive whiteboard in there but we have had to set up for lunch around them while they are having a lesson. If people need to get to the other side of the school they need to pass through the hall too, with the new classroom the flow of the school will be restored.”

This is the first fun run but there are hopes it will become an annual event.

Organiser Laura Bone said: “This is definitely a race with the emphasis on fun. We’ll have medals for all and a fantastic barbecue for runners and supporters alike. Local landowners have been fantastic in giving us permission to use the route we’ve selected, so runners will see bits of the forest they don’t normally get access to. Registrations are piling in, so get your form in early if you want to be sure of a place.”

The 10k race will start at 9.30am with the 3k following at 11am. Entry costs £10 for the 10k and £5 for the 3k, with all proceeds going to the school.

To enter the race and download a registration form call 07391 438512 or email savernakerun@gmail.com.