Last updated 19:39, Thursday, 01 May 2008

A CHARITY FUN RUN in West Cumbria was held in memory of head teacher Mark Condron.

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The Mark Condron Memorial Mile took place last Saturday in Tallentire and Mr Condron’s widow Liz helped organise it.

Mr Condron, who died in November after a long illness, was headmaster of St Joseph’s School in Workington between 2001 and 2004.

Almost 200 people took part and raised £1,588 for Macmillan Cancer.

Mrs Condron said: “The whole day was great. The support we had really was fantastic.

“It all started when Emma Scales, who had taken part in the Sport Relief mile suggested doing a run for Mark.

“I thought it was a great idea but we didn’t really know what to expect when we were putting leaflets through residents’ doors advertising the event.

“But hundreds of people turned up and had a great day.”

Those taking part got to run through Tallentire Hall after permission was granted for the event.

Mr Condron, who went on to be head teacher at Whitehaven’s St Benedict’s High School, was also conductor of the award-winning Dearham Band.

They played before the start of the race and local group Get Back played afterwards at a barbecue for the runners.

Mrs Condron said: “The bands were fantastic and played for nothing.

“We managed to raise a lot of money for one of the charities Mark supported.

“I can’t thank enough the people who took part. It was only a mile but it was pretty wet, raining the whole time.

“Saying that, I think that made for a better atmosphere.”