FUNDRAISERS across Dorset put their best feet forward to raise much-needed cash for Sport Relief 2012.

Hundreds took part in the Sport Relief mile and a variety of other events.

Children and adults took advantage of the glorious sunny weather to contribute to Sport Relief, expected to raise tens of millions of pounds by the end of the weekend.

Pupils from St Michael’s School in Bournemouth enjoyed a stroll along the beach and showed off their stunning fancy dress costumes at the same time.

A series of fun runs took place at Kingsleigh primary in Bournemouth with head teacher Richard Gower turning up late for school with a good excuse – he ran all the way there from Blandford.

Students at Hamworthy Middle also got involved and hundreds of people took part in events including zumba and step classes in Poole’s Dolphin Centre.

Neon-clad dancers worked up a sweat to the lively tunes, while staff from the Everyone Active sports centre encouraged shoppers to have a go at the Million Metre Challenge on exercise bikes and rowing machines.

Pupils from Upton’s Infants’ and Junior Schools joined forces for a run on a course around nearby streets.

Residents turned out to cheer the 630 youngsters on.

Infants’ School Headteacher Nigel Helm said: “One of the Infants’ School classes joined up with one from the Juniors, who helped the younger kids out.

“Residents came out onto the streets and helped give out drinks. It was a really nice atmosphere with everyone joining together for a good charity.”

Portchester pupils used their new climbing wall in a bid to climb the height of Mount Everest between them.

Adult teams from Poole schools and local businesses took part in the Sports Relief Hamworthy Middle School Adults Football Tournament.

Teams from the middle school, Hamworthy First School, Upton Infants, Sainsbury’s Poole and Barclays House com-peted for the honours while raising money for the charity.

And sixth formers from Poole Grammar School staged a 24-hour non-stop football match from 1.30pm, finishing this afternoon.

Youngsters in walk on the beach

ALL 15 classes from St Michael’s Primary in Bournemouth set off on a one-mile walk along the beach to raise hundreds of pounds.

There were a wide variety of costumes on show including Darth Vader, Smurfs, Superman, Daleks and MnMs. Even a couple of real dogs joined in the fun.

All children took donations to school and the total for will be counted up by Year 2 as part of their curriculum.

Head teacher Bob Kennedy said: “We always try to get involved in national fund raising events like Sport Relief – it’s a great idea.” Year four pupil Emily Wong, dressed as Dennis the Menace, said the event had been fun and classmate Jamie Hibbitt, aka Darth Vader, added: “It is good to raise money and we missed maths.”

After-school challenge

TWO teens from Poole ran five miles in support of Sport Relief yesterday.

Gracy Bartlett and Becky Bush, both 13, decided to take on the charity challenge and set themselves a task for the good cause after they finished school.

They started outside the gates of Ashdown Technology College and then along the route they had mapped out with help from their parents.

Gracy said: “We’ve made cupcakes and sold them before, but Becky and I wanted to do something like a sponsored run, something different for charity, to raise the money.

“We’ve always wanted to do charity work like this before and this year we decided to plan it and go ahead with a run.

“Both of us went to the gym every day.”