A group of local fathers have come together to raise funds for their children's school, by pledging to run the Manchester Half Marathon this weekend.

Wincle Church of England Primary is a small but vibrant school of just 68 children, up in the rolling countryside of Wincle.

They may be small, but the spirit is mighty – particularly when faced with the desperate need to replace their aged pre-school building.

£60,000 is needed to put new facilities in the place of a temporary classroom that has long since outlived its originally planned lifespan.

This is a fundraising campaign that has already lasted - and will last for - many years, but a group of plucky dads have decided to give the funds a boost by committing to a gruelling training plan that will hopefully see them completing the 13.1 miles in an effort to encourage others to donate to the cause.

Lee Thorneycroft, Richard Albiston, Ben Cookson, John Campey and Simon Aggersbury will line up on Sunday 15th October alongside 16,500 enthusiastic runners hoping to achieve their best time.

With none of the trio of dads having run such a distance before, training is picking up in earnest as the day of the race looms large.

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"This seemed like a great idea when it was first suggested", said Lee.

Click the red link below to donate.

"But the reality of what we've committed to do, is starting to set in. Hopefully the cheers of the crowds and remembering why we're doing this, will help to carry us through."

"Wincle's such a special school," added Ben, who's also on the Board of Governors.

"They deserve the best and if we can help them get it, that makes all the blisters and muscle ache worthwhile".

Nearly £4000 has been raised so far but the group are hoping to get to £5000.

(Image - Wincle Church of England School Facebook)

Head Teacher, Sarah Smith, said, "We're blown away at the lengths our parents will go to, to support the school. We have a long way to go with our fundraising but this will be a big step forward towards our target. We wish the dads the very best of luck."

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Macclesfield: You can support their cause by going to this link.

You can also find more about the school by clicking HERE.

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