TEACHERS and staff from Lickey Hills Primary School have gone the distance for a brave student who is fighting a rare form of leukaemia, by running 10k.

A total of 13 staff at the school took part in the Simplyhealth Great Birmingham 10k on Sunday in scorching temperatures, raising £2,515 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where Year 5 student Oliver Portman is being treated.

Oliver, nine, from Cofton Hackett, was diagnosed with type T acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the start of the year, and has since endured a series of seizures, caused by a blood clot on his brain, which left him in an induced coma for three days.

While staff at Birmingham Children's Hospital plan Oli's treatment, the school wanted to raise cash as a way of thanks.

Sarah Brooks, Ollie’s Year 5 teacher and organiser, said: “I had the idea back in January when Oliver was first diagnosed but never thought so many staff would join me on the start line, some of whom had never run before.

“It was a fabulous day and we are thrilled to have raised so much money for such a worthy cause.”

Headteacher Amanda Salisbury said: “On behalf of the families and staff at Lickey Hills, I would like to thank Mrs Brooks for organising the team and everyone for their kind and generous donations.

“Thanks especially to the Portman family for their support and to Oli for his inspirational attitude which encouraged everyone to keep going.”

The team taking part included Sarah Brooks, Sarah Ray, Ashlea Brewer, Louise Georgio, Zoe Lynch, Marni Taylor, Leanne Matthews, Helen Williams, Karen Garvey, Rachel Cooke, Melissa Kirby, Kirsty Evans, and Georgia Troth.