A TEAM of primary school staff are getting shipshape - literally - to tackle the annual Dandara 5k on Saturday, September 29, at Hazlehead Park - in a specially-constructed pirate ship.
The eight-strong crew from Kingsford Primary School, in Aberdeen, are taking the spirit of the event’s pirate theme to a whole new level by running together in the wooden structure, which will be decorated with the help of pupils.
Fiona Mennie, Nicole Baillie, Caitlin McHardy, John Roach, Jillian Markie, Nicola Kingston, Gillian Muldoon and Gary Bain will raise money for Jak’s Den. The local charity provides practical, social and emotional support to children and young people with cancer and related illnesses, their families, friends and those bereaved.
Gary Bain, Kingsford deputy head teacher, said: “As primary school teachers, we’re quite resourceful and creative people so when we had some wooden framing left over from a school project, we thought it would be great fun to create a lightweight ship and compete as a pirate crew.
“We felt it was important to get some of the children involved so we are getting some of the primary pupils to help decorate the ship while our pupil council voted for our chosen charity. We may not be the fastest team on the day, but we’ll hopefully raise some smiles and lots of money for charity.”
The team is preparing for the race with “training voyages” to get used to running with the structure - six will carry the frame while the remaining two run alongside, taking it turns to ‘walk the plank’ so the crew can be rotated.
Dandara’s sales director in Aberdeen, Peter Best, said: “The teachers at Kingsford primary school are the epitome of what the Dandara 5k is all about – having fun while raising money for worthy causes.
“There are still spaces remaining for teams to sign up and take on the race, with no limit on the number of individuals per group. We already have 19 registered, with a mixture of charity, friends and also corporate entries.”
The annual event raises money to support the Friends of Hazlehead in revitalising the popular Hazlehead Park in Aberdeen. Places are still available in the 5k, 2k and 1k children’s races, and the 600m fun run.
Online entry is open until September 27, and it will also be possible to sign up on the day, with cash payments open in the registration area.
For more information and to register please visit www.friendsofhazlehead.co.uk or email friendsofhazlehead@gmail.com
The team of pirate teachers