Bury St Edmunds school staff from St Benedict’s Catholic School are taking on the London Marathon

Four members of staff from a Bury St Edmunds secondary school are taking on the challenge of this Sunday’s London Marathon.

The runners from St Benedict’s Catholic School are Imogen Senior, headteacher, Stef Buchan, PA the head, Lindsay Law, an assistant head, and Ben Turner, PE teacher and lead for Year 11.

Mrs Senior and Miss Law will be taking part together wearing tu-tus and raising money for CAFOD (the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development), while Mr Turner is supporting Breast Cancer Now.

Mrs Senior said: “Linds and I are running for CAFOD. For both of us this is a second marathon.

“Having run in 2022 I felt that I was up for the challenge again and wanted to raise money for another wonderful cause and run and fundraise with a friend.

“CAFOD makes a huge difference to the lives of people living in some of the most challenging situations globally and believes that ‘no one is beyond reach’.

“This should help the 26.2 miles on Sunday, but right now it does feel a very long way and I don’t think another marathon is on the cards!”

Miss Law said: “The London Marathon is an event like no other.

“Winter training is exhausting and gruelling, but the day will be incredible and more than make up for it. I feel privileged to be given the opportunity to run the course again, for a charity that means so much to our school community.

“I’m relying on my colleagues to distract me from the pain when we are tackling the final miles but intend to keep smiling the whole way round!”

Miss Buchan said: “I was lucky (if that is the right word!!) to gain a ballot place for this year’s marathon.

“I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to take on the challenge, but I had a significant birthday in 2023 and thought it would be a great achievement proving that you are never too old and staying fit and healthy is really important.

“I agree with Immi it feels like a long way, but I am hoping to be carried along by the hours of training, the crowds and support, will I do another, right now no it is definitely not something I am thinking about.

Mr Turner said: “I am proudly running the London Marathon for the first time this year.

“I am raising money for Breast Cancer Now, which is a charity very close to my family over the last few years. I hope to raise as much money as I can for a fantastic cause and I am very much looking forward to running the 26.2 miles this Sunday!”

To donate, visit their fundraising pages: for Mr Turner, Mrs Senior and Miss Law.