Teachers take part in charity run to raise money in memory of Worksop student who died following cancer battle

Teachers from Outwood Academy Portland ran the Sheffield 10k raising funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of Lulu Blundell who died aged 19 following a brave battle with Ewing’s sarcoma.

Lulu, who was a student at Outwood Academy Portland until 2015, was first diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma when she was 15.

Ewing’s sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that affects bones or the tissue around bones and mainly affects children and young people.

Lulu underwent months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a lower limb amputation to treat the cancer and was given the news that she was cancer-free in January 2020. Tragically, the cancer returned in early 2022 and after almost a year-long battle, Lulu died on January 1 this year.

Mark Wolverson, PE Teacher at the academy was one of 14 teachers from the school to take part.

Mr Wolverson said: “What started off as a passing conversation with Lulu’s dad about signing up for the Sheffield 10k, soon turned into numerous staff signing up to join in and support.

“It was such a great atmosphere on the day and many of the team really pushed themselves as it was their first attempt at a 10k distance. I personally got a better time than I expected and I have to put this down to the team ethos that had been created. Hopefully, this is the first of many to come.”

The money raised brings Lulu’s Teenage Cancer Trust ‘patient fund’, the total amount of money raised in her name, to approximately £130,000.

Lulu’s parents, who also work at Outwood Grange Academies Trust said: “without the support of many colleagues across the Trust, the amount would be much less”.

Jess Willey, PE Teacher at Outwood Academy Portland, has been one of the biggest fundraisers for Lulu’s patient fund over the past couple of years.

She said: “Lulu was one of us. She was an ex-student, a friend and had a zest for life that inspired so many. After her diagnosis, all she wanted to do was help others.

“Her incredible story and the way she lived her life through such adversity, was so inspiring and powerful that I felt it had to be shared with our students; as an academy, we had the power to support Lulu in making a difference and it was essential for Lulu’s legacy to live on.

“To date, Outwood Academy Portland has raised £12,000 through various fundraising events. Every year we will continue to fundraise for TCT. Lulu will be in our hearts forever.”

Heather Bowen, Relationships Manager at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “Thank you to every single family member, friend, school, colleague, company, and community who supported Lulu in her quest to ensure Teenage Cancer Trust is there for other young people. An incredible legacy from a beautiful young lady who brought all those who loved and cared for her together, to create awareness of cancers in teenagers and raise funding for other young people going through a cancer diagnosis. When a community comes together, the most astonishing things can happen”.