Sport Relief pictures: Hundreds of Teessiders get involved in national fundraiser

PICTURES: Unity City Academy, Conyers School, Stockton Sixth Form and Prior Pursglove College are among those taking part

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Gallery: Sport Relief events on Teesside

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Hundreds of students and teachers from around Middlesbrough ‘went the extra mile’ today - all in the name of Sport Relief.

More than 700 pupils from Unity City Academy ran the Sport Relief mile this year to raise cash for the ever-popular sporting charity.

Kevin Broom, from UCA’s sports department, said: “We always try to get involved in fundraising events that get everyone active and outside of the classroom.

"Everyone’s talking about Sport Relief so it’s a lot of fun being involved with such a brilliant charity.”

It was a joint effort from Stockton Sixth Form College alongside Abbey Hill School and Technology College, who kicked off their event at 1:15pm

Samantha Hockney, schools liaison and marketing manager for Stockton College, said: “It’s always really competitive at the college and the students are always trying to beat the teacher’s personal bests.”

Kris George, Sport Relief Mile Organiser and college tutor, said: “Staff and students are extremely willing to take part in raising money and there is a fantastic atmosphere on the day.

"We were especially pleased to welcome pupils from Abbey Hill School this year, and hope they had as much fun as we did.”

Conyers School, Yarm, held a ‘hero’ race that had the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Jonny Wilkinson dress-ups.

And Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, hosted ‘Fitness Friday’ which included braving the rodeo banana, cycling up a healthy drink on the smoothie bikes and staff versus students challenges or crazy costumes.

In addition to the school’s mile runs, BBC Breakfast presenter, Ali Brownlee, went to one extreme by changing his name through the deed poll.

The die-hard Boro fan, who will now be known as ‘Up the Boro’ Brownlee, said: “When I was asked to do something for Sport Relief I wanted to do something linked to my passion which is Middlesbrough Football Club.”