CHILDREN, parents, staff and friends raised hundreds of pounds for school funds by taking part in the BUPA Junior Great North Run.

Stephenson Way Primary School, in Newton Aycliffe, sends a team to the race every year and this year's group consisted of 33 children, including seven teenage brothers and sisters, accompanied by four teachers and three parents.

All the children finished the race including youngster Jolene McDonnell, who came in with a time of 1hr 12mins.

Teaching assistant Debbie Connell ran with her son, Scott, and her children from the primary school. Fourteen-year-old Scott managed to complete the course the quickest time of the group, an impressive 23 minutes.

Headteacher Barry Dobson said: "We always take part in the junior run as a fundraising event for the school.

"George Wimpey the housebuilder pays for all the children's places and provides us with T-shirts to run in.

"We haven't got all the money in yet, but we usually raise about £700. All of the children are really proud of their medals."

The children who took part were: Scott Connell, Ricky Scott, Andrew Cartwright, Anthony Cartwright, Mark Connell, Ben Connell, Rachael Cartwright, Hannah Hatfield, Julian Hatfield, Amy Connell, Symone Waters, Raven Waters, Paris Waters, Tanisha Waters, Rosie Hatfield, Laura Bentley, Catherine Jackson, Sophie Scott, Leigh-Ann Watkins, Laura Provan, Michiela Saunders, Jolene McDonnell, Rebekah Lovejoy, Daniel Lovejoy, Ryan Henderson, Bethany Henderson, Daniel Craig and Kyran Level.

The staff who took part were Linda Hatfield, Debbie Connell, Emma Smith and Adele Watts, and the parent participants were Lisa McDonnell, Kim Henderson, Mrs Lovejoy and Janet Cartwright.