A THOUSAND pupils put their best feet forward to take part in Tendring Technology College’s Race For Life.

The entire lower school in Thorpe tackled the 5km course, and the youngsters have already raised more than £4,000 for Cancer Research.

They staged a minute’s silence ahead of the run to remember people who had died of cancer before letting off scores of balloons.

Cancer survivor and student support manager Julie Claxton said: “It was very humbling, very emotional and very moving.

“I feel so enormously proud of the students. They were awesome and rose to the occasion.”

Some pupils wore pink wigs and tutus for the race.

There were even Batman and Robin costumes among the runners.

Julie said: “They all made a donation and many got sponsorship. They really embraced it – it was phenomenal.”

Ella Keeys, 11, and Sophie Alford-Beck, 13, put the money they received from winning Jack Petchey awards towards the event. The cash paid for wristbands and ice-creams, which were sold on the day to raise even more money for the charity.

Many runners wore the names of friends or family they knew who had been affected by cancer.

“Everyone had a very personal reason,” said Julie.

“Everyone pulled together. It was the Tendring Technology College community at its best.”

See a full spread of pictures from the event in the Clacton Gazette.