An annual school charity fun run returned as determined pupils and teachers attempted to reach an incredible £70,000.

The Leman 4 Life fundraiser has been held at Sir John Leman High School in Beccles since 2011 to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

This year’s event, on Tuesday, June 26, was boosted with an extra triathlon challenge and charity hair cut.

Previous events have seen the school raise £59,180 for the cancer charity, with last year’s event alone exceeding £10,000.

Headteacher Michael Taylor said: “The fundraising is part of our culture now. Cancer is so wide-ranging and hits so many families.

“I think everyone knows someone who has either been taken ill with cancer or passed away.”

In total 1,380 pupils, from Year 7 to Year 13, took part in the event with many children wearing ‘dedication slips’ bearing messages of love for those they know affected by the disease.

Pupils donned glitter and neon paint, with others opting to complete the 5k circuit around the school in fancy dress.

Donna Harmer, business support manager at the school, said: “The children love to get involved and they raise lots of money.

“It’s been brilliant, each year it gets better. The kids are really up for reaching the target.”

The event is organised by teacher Kirsten Remer with the Beccles Friends of Cancer Research UK and Bungay Black Dog Running Club.

Year 10 pupil Oscar Storey crossed the line first, finishing with an impressive time of 18 minutes and 45 seconds.

He said: “It feels good. My granddad, we call him pops, has cancer at the minute and since I have been at the school I’ve always wanted to win this.”

Earlier in the day 13-year-old Izzy Brown had 40cm of her hair chopped off to donate to the Little Princess Trust who provide real hair wigs for children battling cancer.

The biggest challenge was undertaken by a team of hardy sixth formers; Josh Youngs, Nathan Oldman, Jack Gallagher, Maciej Zeilinksi, Sam Aitken and Ali Blankley, who completed a triathlon to boost funds.

The group were joined by five teachers as they swam 30 lengths of Beccles Lido, completed a 40K cycle and finished with the 5k run.

Mr Youngs, who organised the triathlon, said: “It was a lot harder than last year, particularly in the heat.

“The event is just really good for everyone and I wanted to raise as much money as possible.”