It was a case of third time lucky for youngsters at the Lantern Primary School on Friday – as an unexpectantly dry Friday meant their Ninja Dash could go ahead at the eleventh hour!
Organisers Friends of the Lantern School (FOTLS) had been on standby in case forecasts of stormy weather proved to be true – but a warm, dry day meant the sponsored assault course could take place.
The Lantern Ninja Dash had been rained off twice – in March and in May – but the challenge, a highlight for many of the 450 or so students at the school and Goslings Preschool, had been worth the wait, organiser Sinead Hurley said.
She added: “After a few false starts, it was great that the ‘Around the World’ Ninja Dash could finally go ahead. The kids really enjoyed the event, saying they couldn’t wait to see what next year’s theme would be. This made it all worthwhile.”
The sponsored race has so far raised £2856. Adding Gift Aid takes the total to about £3486, which will be spent on outdoor shelters for the school.
Budding ninjas aged between three and 11 got to put their speed and agility to the test, with a series of obstacles to conquer around the school’s back field.
Children were challenged to crawl under an “eel hive from Ely”, balance along the “Great Wall of China”, dodge bears and alligators in America, crocodiles in Africa, weave through the Amazon rainforest and hop across Antarctica, while avoiding “deadly snakes and spiders” in Australia!
Straw bales allowed kids to scale the peaks of the Himalayas – but they had to watch out for the Yeti!
The celebrations continued into the evening, with the day branded as “Festive Friday – the Remix”, referring to the fact that the initial event had been postponed. Students enjoyed a non-uniform day in exchange for a donation to Ely Foodbank.
As well as the Ninja Dash taking place throughout the day, FOTLS put on after school entertainment, including inflatables and refreshments.
FOTLS chair Meredith Hux Atkins said: “We are so grateful to our small but mighty team of volunteers, who stayed behind late on Thursday to set up, and were at school all day on Friday. There is so much that happens behind the scenes to ensure events like this are a success. We would also like to thank the school for their incredible support.”
Press release from Friends of The Lantern School
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