Parents organise first-ever fun run in aid of Arvalee

PARENTS of students attending Arvalee have banded together to organise a first-ever fundraising 5k fun run and walk for the Omagh school.

The ‘Friends of Arvalee’ committee are organising the event to help bring extra resources to the school at a time when Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision is being cut drastically.

Speaking to the Tyrone Herald about the event, organiser, Melanie Bell, said, “The 5k Walk & Run will be taking place on May 11 from the main school here at Arvalee, and will follow the path down past Strathroy and across the Link Road on to Derry Road and back up past the Grange Park towards the main school, where there will be music, activities and refreshments. Medals will also be handed out.”

Another member of the group, Conor Keys, added, “The event not only helps us to raise money for the school, but it also raises our profile within the community because sometimes we feel forgotten about.

“So, it will be good to raise our profile and let people know we are here and still going through all the challenges. In fact, we are going through more challenges now with the second site and cuts that are happening across all SEN provision.

“Those cuts have a knock-on effects on us, so this is our chance to bring in the complementary therapies, the summer schemes, the additional stuff that the school simply don’t have the resources for.

“We are going to have to prepare for bigger numbers at the school – they are coming here from as far as Armagh.”

Meanwhile, Melanie encouraged the local community to get behind the event and support their bid to secure funds to cope with the current budget constraints imposed on the school.

“We are asking parents, guardians and carers to come along and get involved,” she said.

To register to take part, please visit Eventbrite. You will also be able to register on the morning of the run from 9.30am.

She added, “We know how difficult it can be for businesses at the moment, but we are also asking for donations from local businesses to sponsor the event. It’s about giving the kids what they deserve and all the money will go straight towards the children.”

Registration for the event will begin at 9.30am on May 11, with the run starting at 11.30am.

l To register, search ‘Friends of Arvalee – 5K FUN-RUN & WALK’ on Eventbrite.