Freyja inspires Oli's 100-mile run for charity

A SALTASH teacher is preparing for a 100-mile non-stop charity endurance race in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust – inspired by one of his pupils who suffers from the disease.

Oli Jones, 38, teaches Year 5 at Burraton Primary School, which includes ten-year-old patient Freyja Newman.

He has already completed the London Marathon and plans to raise £2,012 in all.

Mr Jones leaves Porthleven at 7pm on Friday, June 22, and hopes to reach Watergate Bay after around 26 hours as part of the Endurancelife Ultra Trail South West.

He will complete a section of the route with Liskeard doctor Chris Gilbert, a fellow member of the East Cornwall Harriers.

Mr Jones carried out a 12-hour 36-mile run from 9pm on June 1 to prepare for the sleep deprivation, repeatedly running the 1.25-mile circuit around Yellowtor Road.

He was joined by pupils and supporters, with one parent running 13 miles.

"There are twin girls in Year 6 at Bishop Cornish School who have CF and they came along as well," said Mr Jones.

"A Year 1 pupil did five miles and a pupil in my class came along at 3.15am and ran 6.25 miles. I thought between midnight and 5am I'd be on my own but I had people all the time."

Grandparents Dave and Pauline Newman, are thankful for Mr Jones's efforts.

"I think it's absolutely wonderful; it's so kind of him," said Mrs Newman, 62, while her husband, 65, said: "It's just tremendous. I joined him on his overnight run and took Freyja and her cousin out."

Freyja was born in Newport in South Wales, one of the few places which tested babies for CF at the time.

She was diagnosed at five and a half weeks, and immediately began receiving a cocktail of drugs to temper the condition, which stops her properly absorbing fat and could lead to lung scarring.

"Freyja's ever so good," said Mrs Newman. "She eats ever so well; a lot of children with CF don't. She's always the last man standing and always eats all her food."

Her six-year-old brother Finley and cousins Callum Baker, 10, and Ellis Baker, 5, are also at her school.

Dad, Paul, 37, is an engineering officer in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and at sea for four months at a time. Mum Mandy, 36, a teaching assistant at Brunel Primary Academy and Nursery, said what Mr Jones was doing was amazing. "He says Freyja's the inspiration but I actually think he is," she said.

To donate, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/oliverjones2012.

Burraton Primary School will also host a series of events including a raffle at its sports days on July 9 and 12.

The school has 28 Olympic tickets to offer and hopes local firms will also offer prizes.