MIS Fun Run raises $20K for school

A pep talk and team rally for a Waingawa Syndicate class. PHOTO/NICOLA BYSOUTH

Masterton Intermediate School pupils raised more than $20,000 for class equipment, technology and sports gear during the fifth annual MIS Fun Run on Tuesday.

Teacher Juliet Olson said classes were divided for the run by syndicate -- Tauwharenikau, Waingawa and Waiohine -- and each participating pupil qualified for a prize according to the amount each raised.

Tauwharenikau syndicate pupil Brock Robinson, 12, took the top prize of a GoPro camera after he single-handedly raised $700 during his run and more than a half dozen classes had each raised more than $2000.

Participants had won sponsors from among family and friends across the country and overseas, she said.

Each had navigated a 4.7km "run around the block" that was punctuated with a gauntlet of obstacles and activities, including water and flour bombs, cargo nets and water-pistol traps, organised by teachers.

"Little kids at the kindergarten (next door) enjoyed throwing water bombs at our kids going past and, to finish the run, a fire truck hosed them all down," she said.

"All children at school got behind the Fun Run this year after getting out there and asking family and friends for sponsorship. It's been a real success that has now become one of our major fundraising drives for the year."

Mrs Olson said a group of businesses in the town had thrown their weight behind the event as well by donating materials for the obstacle course that included a water tunnel from Mitre 10 Mega Masterton, and Seeds and Cereals 2000 that had supplied hay-bales used as hurdles.

"We have to thank all the families and friends, as well, who supported our kids and school," she said.