Mr Tipler smashes 15 miles for Children in Need

Mr Tipler, Deputy Headteacher,  ran from his home in Holmfirth to Heckmondwike on the morning of Friday 13 November 2020 to raise money for Children in Need. He set off on the 15 mile route at around 6.45am and arrived at school 2 hours, 2 minutes and 19 seconds later, where staff and students were waiting to cheer him in.

Staff and students were given the opportunity to predict his run time, with the person guessing the closest to his actual time winning a giant Pudsey Bear. Well done to Year 7 student Lewis Monaghan for his prediction which was just 11 seconds out.

Here’s what Mr Tipler had to say:

I started running seriously about 3 years ago after I realised middle age had very much crept up on me, and sadly set-in and I had to do something about it.  I am a person who needs goals and challenges, and so for my New Year resolutions for 2019 I pledged to complete a 100-day run streak which meant I had to run at least 1 mile every day for 100 continuous days.  Here I am still going on Friday 13th November 2020; which is Run Streak Day 683 and having just completed the 15 miles from my home just outside Holmfirth to school in a little over 2hours, in support of Children In Need.  As a Senior Leadership Team, we came up with numerous ideas to fundraise this year, but the traditional ‘Sponge the Headteacher’ was not met with its usual enthusiasm (something to do with social distancing, apparently) so I volunteered to run in.  Because of these unprecedented times, there has been no formal challenges and races I have been able to partake in over the last few months, so this was perfect for me to focus on and raise money.  The weather was horrendous as I set put and within about 15 seconds I was wet though and cold, the but I was kept in buoyant mood by the numerous beeps and waves from drivers and passers-by as I passed through Huddersfield and out along the A62.  As I arrived at school and onto the MUGA I was greeted by Y9 & Y10 who cheered me on in the last 50 yards towards the finish line.  It was a humbling experience, and I cannot begin to describe the emotions I had as I ‘broke the tape’.  As I sit here writing this with tired legs, consuming vast amounts of flapjack, I have a strange warm glow inside, the kind you get when you know you have set your mind to a task and achieved it; the same feeling I am sure our wonderful students experience as they complete their work, ticking off tasks, gaining knowledge and making fabulous progress.  I’d like to thank everyone for all their support, encouragement and of course, donations – you’re amazing!

His efforts, along with a non-uniform day and participation in the annual Duck Race Sweepstake has raised an amazing £1,659.39 (and still counting) for the charity.