A SCHOOLYARD challenge that aimed to raise £100 for charity has been a runaway success, with donations topping £1,300.

Around 360 pupils took part in a Race for Life event at Milford Haven Junior School on Friday, to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Boys and girls (and mums, dads and teachers too) dressed in pink, and completed a mile-long sponsored run, jog or walk around the school field.

Thanks to sponsorship, cake sales, a raffle, and donations from the community, the school has now raised £1,300 – more than ten times its original target.

Year 5 teacher Sarah Arran said the school had recently lost two members of staff to cancer, and as well as raising cash, the event had also given pupils an opportunity to learn more about how cancer affects people’s lives.

“There’s this word cancer, and when you’re eight years old and you hear it you automatically think people have to die of it,” said Ms Arran.

“It’s getting the message across that people are trying to change that and find a cure, but to that we need to raise money.

“It also helps bring the school together – the children feel they’ve made a real difference today.”

All children were given a special medal and a goody bag of snacks from Milford Haven Tesco.

The store’s community champion, Debbie Mills, added: “As main sponsor of Race for Life, Tesco is delighted to support the school.

“Race for Life is very special for us as long-running supporters; it’s a cause close to our hearts.

“The whole day has been wonderful, fantastic. We’ve been telling customers about it all week and they’ve all been so impressed.”