HUNDREDS of Bournemouth schoolchildren have completed three sponsored runs in a bid to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK.

And the youngsters, from Elm Academy, Holloway Avenue, Kinson, are on target to “smash” their target total following Friday’s fundraiser.

Head of PE Dan Beck told the Daily Echo: “I set a sponsorship target of £750. There are just under 500 children at the school so we are talking about £1.50 for every child.

“But I’ve had children come up to me and say they’ve raised £100 just by themselves - we are going to absolutely smash all of our targets.”

The final amount raised should be known later this week.

Children, and some parents, took part in the trio of runs - with two races taking place before lunch and one afterwards.

Children from the nursery, aged three, took part - alongside pupils aged up to eleven.

Mr Beck explained: “Obviously the nursery children didn’t run as far as the older ones.

“The parents were mainly running with the little ones; everyone has been really happy and enthusiastic about it.

“It is always nice to raise money for charity and we do a lot of charity work but this particular cause obviously touches a lot of people, a lot of families have been affected by cancer.”

Money raised for Cancer Research UK goes towards funding the latest research into all forms of the disease.

A charity spokesman explained: “We will continue to support research into all types of cancer and across all age groups. And we’re keeping our focus on understanding the biology of cancer so we can use this vital knowledge to save more lives.”

Cancer Research UK is increasing its research in key areas such as early diagnosis, and hard-to-treat cancers including lung, pancreatic, oesophageal cancers and brain tumours.

“But we can’t achieve our mission alone,” said the spokesman. “We rely on our dedicated scientists, doctors and nurses, and the generosity of our supporters across the UK.

“With your help, we can beat cancer sooner.”