AN idea to start a running club saw kind-hearted King's Road Primary School pupils pull on their trainers and raise £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.

The group of P7 girls, together with teachers Jo Pringle, Kelly Miller and Adele Merrilees, formed the after-school club in March as a means of increasing fitness and self-confidence and set themselves a challenge of taking part in this year's Race for Life event in Kirkcaldy.

A total of 10 pupils – along with Jo and Kelly – donned their best pink and ran the 5k distance at Beveridge Park on June 26 before saying their farewells to King's Road on the final day of term last Friday.

Proud Jo said: "The girls were chatting about how the boys always take over in gym and that they wanted to form a running club to increase their confidence and self-esteem. We started it in March and had about 20 girls who would come out running every week. I said to them that I was going to do Race for Life and they said they would do it with me, which was really lovely.

"I've done it a couple of times and was planning on doing it anyway, but they have done brilliantly. Ten of the girls and two teachers – myself and Kelly – and we raised around £1,000 between us. Kelly and I both set a £150 target on our sponsorship sheets, so we're really pleased.

"All the girls completed it in under 36 minutes, which we were quite pleased with as we'd set a target of 45 minutes. It was a bit of a tear-jerker and the girls were buzzing at the end. They decided they want to have a reunion and do the 10k next year, but we'll wait and see! It was a great day and way to end the year, especially with them leaving after the summer. They have raised a fantastic amount of money and we are so proud of what they have achieved."