Pupils from a Newcastle school have astounded organisers of a charity run after an overwhelming number of runners have signed up to take part.

Over 200 runners made up of pupils and parents from Ravenswood Primary School in Heaton, have signed up to take part in The 31^st Children’s Cancer Run which takes place at Gosforth Park next Sunday.

The school has never taken part in the run before making the number of participants particularly impressive.

However, the school’s deputy head, Mrs Clare Clougher, isn’t surprised by the response to the event at all, as she explained “The students at Ravenswood Primary are extremely enthusiastic and they take every opportunity to get involved with activities with their school friends both in and out of school hours.”

“We also benefit from a fantastic group of parents who like to be involved with the school’s activities.”

“I did the Children’s Cancer Run for the first time last year with my son’s school and loved it. The atmosphere is wonderful and there’s no pressure to be competitive it’s just a great event to be a part of whether you’re running or walking the course, which means even the pupils who aren’t runners were keen to take part.”

“We’re a very sporty school with lots of clubs and teams, and our teachers are willing to give up their time and weekends to encourage the kids to get involved with events just like the Children’s Cancer Run. We’re also taking part in Newcastle’s School’s 500 Games as well as the Junior Great North Run and Mini Run.”

Year four teacher, Miss Libby Jackson added, “The students are very excited about taking part in the run, they’ll all be wearing their medals with pride on the Monday after the run. I think we’ll be taking part every year from now on.”

Chris Peacock, Chairman of the Children’s Cancer Run said, “It’s a fantastic number of entries from a single school, I’m delighted they’ve decided to take part this year and I hope they’ll join us next year too.”

The final preparations are taking place at Newcastle Racecourse this weekend as the 31^st Run fast approaches.

Applications to enter the run will close on Monday, and organisers are urging would be runners to join the 8,000 runners already signed up who are getting ready to run, walk, skip and hop the five mile cross country course, all to raise money for the North of England Children’s Cancer Research (NECCR) fund.

As the course is being set, volunteers are getting ready to hand out medals and T-shirts to those taking part, Gregg’s are preparing family picnics to feed the hungry runners, and Metro Radio are ready and waiting to entertain runners and spectators alike, along side local bands and performers as everyone comes together to create the perfect fun-run atmosphere.

Chris continued, “The support we receive from volunteers is overwhelming and it’s instrumental to the success of the event each year.

“People who come along on the day see first hand, the hard work the car parking stewards and teams handing out picnics and medals put into the day to ensure things run smoothly but what they don’t see in the days and weeks of preparation behind the scenes just to get everything ready in time for the run.”

Last year the NECCR celebrated reaching £6 million since the race started. The charity receives no government support. The main aims of the charity, based at Newcastle’s RVI and Newcastle University, are to increase the number of children cured of cancer, find causes of childhood cancer and develop new treatments.

Chris continued, “With over 9,000 runners, we’re looking forward to a great day – we’d like to encourage everyone to carry on collecting sponsors for the run, if every runner manages just one extra pound before Sunday, it means the charity benefits from an additional £10,000 which is a phenomenal sum of money!

“It’s asking a lot, I know, especially in these troubled economic times, but the work the charity does and the research it pays for is so important, I hope everyone will just make that final effort because every penny raised now can mean such a difference to children fighting cancer right now.

“I’d like to thank all our volunteers, all our sponsors and media friends and, mainly, all the wonderful runners who make this such a great day and raise so much money.”

The Children’s Cancer Run is sponsored by Greggs and is a five-mile fundraising fun run for the North of England Children’s Cancer Research (NECCR), which carries out vital research into medication and cures for children’s cancer.

The Run will be held at Newcastle Racecourse on Sunday 19^th May 2013. A park and ride facility is available at Quorum and Balliol Business Parks. There is a five-mile cross country run and a one-mile event for under-sevens. Entry is £12 or £6 for under-sevens. For more information or to book a place online, go to www.childrenscancerrun.co.uk or email .