PUPILS at Cheney School in Headington were no slouches when it came to fundraising.

They were prepared to put on their running shoes for good causes, even when it was raining and the course was muddy and uninviting.

On some occasions, they even managed to persuade their teachers to join them.

In the picture above, pupils are shown shielding their ears as Oxford United winger Peter Rhoades-Brown prepares to fire a pistol to start a fourmile fun run in 1989.

The Oxford Mail reported: “About 230 pupils, plus their year group tutors, took part in a sponsored team run to raise money for the RSPCA, cancer research and the special care baby unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

“In the pouring rain, Peter RhoadesBrown, pictured with some of the runners, got the teams under way, to run just over four muddy miles.”

Mike Betton, assistant head of third year, said the pupils, mainly 14-yearolds, had organised the event and nominated the charities.

The sponsor money of about £1,000 was divided four ways – one quarter each to the three charities and the remaining quarter for the school’s physical education department.

This wasn’t the first time the school had braved the cold of autumn and winter to raise money.

In 1983, all 240 pupils in the third year – some of them are pictured right – were involved in a sponsored relay run around a 500-metre course.

This time, the £1,000 they raised was split between four good causes – the John Radcliffe special care baby unit, Helen House hospice in East Oxford, the RSPCA and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The fundraising that year was part of a school programme to develop links with the community.

Third-year tutor Graham Hennin said pupils planned to visit the groups for which they had raised money and watch the work they did.