IGS pupils stage fancy dress three-legged race

8:00am Thursday 26th November 2009

By Amanda Greaves

A three-legged race, pyjamas in school and Pudsey Bear buns were to the fore on Friday as people from across the area had fun raising money for Children in Need.

One of the more eye-catching stunts was Ilkley Grammar School’s fancy dress three-legged race through the centre of town.

Students at the Cowpasture Road school have held the annual race for several years now, and combined with other fundraising activities, it is hoped the efforts of Ilkley Grammar will raise as much as £3,000, once all the money has been collected in and counted up.

The students again came up with some creative outfits for their race, attracting a lot of attention from shoppers out in the town centre on Friday afternoon.

Among the highlights were a pair of sumo wrestlers, battling to race with the additional burden of their extra large costumes in addition to having their ankles tied together.

And in honour of X Factor hopefuls John and Edward Grimes – who were voted off the ITV show the day after Ilkley Grammar’s fundraising event – two competitors were seen sporting the infamous ‘Jedward’ hairstyle.

There was no loose change left in pockets at the school by the end of the day, as staff and pupils collected unwanted change for Children in Need.

Year seven students asked classmates to leave their small change in the capable hands of Pudsey Bear, and head of history Margaret Chambers went around the rest of the school collecting change from staff and students.

So far, £1,500 has been collected from the day’s events, and money was still coming in this week.

Teenager Charlie Maslen took a short cut for charity when he had his hair chopped off.

The 14-year-old Ilkley Grammar School pupil lost his long hair and raised more than £100 after asking his friends to sponsor his new haircut. He was given his free cut by former hairdresser Michelle Crooks, the mother of one of his friends.

Charlie said: “I don’t think people believed I’d go through with it because I’ve had long hair for so long.”

“Everyone was really shocked – and lots of people mistake me for my brother,” he said.

Now he’s planning to stick with a shorter style – although he admits he’s feeling the cold.

Guiseley Infants School opted to bring some healthy fresh air into their fundraising. All the children took part in a sponsored walk around the school perimeter. Every child did a fit and active five laps of the school. The total amount of money raised so far is £576, although more sponsorship funds are expected to come in.

Plenty of Children in Need fundraisers came up with more relaxing ways of supporting the cause.

Pupils and staff at Pool-in-Wharfedale CE Primary School enjoyed a sleepy appeal day by spending it in their pyjamas.

Everyone at school joined Pudsey Bear for assembly, and pupils finished the day by hearing a bedtime story.

Assistant headteacher Fiona Gallagher also donated two Pudsey Bears which pupils were invited to guess the weight of, with Arabella Shaw from year 1 and Aaron Yang of year 5 the winners.

There was also a day-long pyjama party at Rayner Opticians on Brook Street, Ilkley. Staff came in for a cosy day’s work in their pyjamas. It is hoped that local branches of the opticians chain will have raised around £1,000 for Children in Need.

Youngsters at Spicey Gill Pre-School in Ilkley also wore their pyjamas for the day. Some of the children also baked biscuits and buns at home which were sold to raise even more money. Organisers say the children had a lovely day, and more than £70 was raised for Children in Need.

A colourful cookie creatively designed by five-year-old Abby Patrick, of Askwith Primary School, went on sale to raise money for Children in Need.

A group of reception class and Year 1 Pupils recently visited Cock Pit Farm at nearby Weston, which has recently opened tea rooms, and it was there that the idea was suggested.

The children drew designs for cookies, and Abby’s red heart on a yellow background was chosen as the winner. The biscuits are on sale at Cock Pit Farm Tea Rooms until Sunday, November 29, with proceeds going to the appeal.

All Saints CE Primary School in Otley also came up with tasty ways of celebrating the day and raising money for the cause. Children made Pudsey Bear cakes and biscuits. Some of the pupils dressed in spotty bandanas just like Pudsey’s, or wore yellow bear ears.