Hampstead mums swap school runs for Heath runs for youth project.
The Hall school triathlon team - Credit: Archant
A team of 40 mothers and staff from The Hall School, in Hampstead, are running the Blenheim Triathlon on June 4 to raise money for a Swiss Cottage youth project.
For many Hampstead mums the stress of the school run is the most gruelling part of the day.
But for this group the daily drop-off routine is nothing compared to the challenge of Heath runs, cycle rides and freezing Lido and pond swims they have been undergoing for the past months to train for a triathlon.
They aim to raise money for the Winch youth centre, around the corner from the school in Winchester Road, which provides support to youngsters from challenging backgrounds and to ensure “no child is left behind”.
The funds will go to the Family Meals project, which provides families on the poverty line with a shared meal so they can sit down together every week.
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Team organiser Amanda Rudman, 47, of Wedderburn Road, Hampstead, said: “Family meals brings children and their families together once a week over a shared meal. Something we all take for granted but which we know is a vital part of creating a warm, loving, supportive environment for our children.”
Ms Rudman, a documentary maker who has three children and two step-children, said of the tough training regime: “It is so refreshing not to be talking about schools with other mums. It has taken us all out of our comfort zones.
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“The lake training session is always very sobering. It really can be a scary experience swimming in open seemingly bottomless water with a hundred other people.
“If our running and cycling and swimming can go even a small way to make sure no child is left behind, then every cold swimsuit and sweaty hill will have been worth it.”
Hall school mother Catrina Holme said: “Our boys are lucky to be in a community that the school offers. But nonetheless they are surrounded by achieving boys and a great deal of affluence. We wanted to get them involved in raising money for local children who aren’t as lucky as they are.”
Fellow mum Dee Lehane said: “Training has been exacting and time consuming but has introduced me to the magic of the hampstead ponds which I had not experienced in 20 years in london “
Visit the teams fundraising page here.
