EIGHT Somerset headteachers have conquered the Bristol Half Marathon in support of young people’s mental health.

The fundraising group included Mark Walker of Ilminster’s Swanmead School and Carl Winch from Maiden Beech Academy in Crewkerne.

They were joined by Shonagh Pilgrim from Ansford, Emma Wilkes from Oakfield, Mark Williams of Kingsmead, Stefan McHale of Fairlands, Chris Wade from Huish Episcopi, and the Somerset Heads executive officer Rob Benzie.

Mr Walker said: “Well we did it. Eight headteachers from across Somerset turned up the other Sunday in wet conditions to plod our way around the 13.1 miles of the Bristol Half Marathon.

“I must admit that it was a fantastic experience and having the name tag on my t-shirt meant that I was aided around the course by so many amazing people shouting my name.

“Many thanks to parents that have donated on the pledge site, currently this total stands in excess of £2000 for the charity which is just fantastic.

“I am also grateful to the wonderful group of Year 6 girls pictured below who baked cakes and sold them during a sale the Monday after the run.

“They raised well over £50, a tremendous effort.”

The event, organised by the Somerset Association of Secondary Headteachers, was held in support of Young Minds, a charity committed to providing mental health support to children and young people.

Mr Winch said: “It was a privilege to run with my Headteacher colleagues to raise funds for Young Minds.

“The crisis in adolescent mental health is real and urgent. More children than ever are reaching out for help.

“Charities like Young Minds do outstanding work to support schools and other institutions, and my colleagues and I felt that supporting this worthy cause was a small way of giving something back and saying thank you.”

Mr Walker added: “Young Minds is a recently established charity that helps support treatment and raising awareness of young people and their mental health.

“Never has it been more important to support a charity like this and I am grateful for the school community helping myself and Swanmead assist with this.

“In terms of more half marathons, I’ll give myself a bit of time off before I attempt another one.”

Maiden Beech Academy also held a special assembly last week to mark World Mental Health Day and had a non-uniform day to fundraise for South Somerset Mind.

Mr Winch said: “At Maiden Beech our key priority this year is supporting the emotional well-being of both children and staff.

“The assembly and non-uniform day was in response to a letter I received from two of our pupils whose families have been adversely affected by mental health problems.”

Mr Winch, who also ran the London Marathon earlier this year, added: “After training and completing my first marathon last April, I have continued to run, realising the many benefits of physical exercise on my emotional health and well-being.

“I find running a few miles helps relieve stress whilst improving overall fitness at the same time.”