PRIMARY school children have taken to the track to raise funds in memory of their school friend.

Eaton Primary school pupils took to Oulton Park Race track to cycle, run and walk around the circuit in memory of Year 4 pupil Libby Moss.

Tragically, nine-year-old Libby died suddenly at school in April 2009 as the result of a heart problem. Following her death, headteacher Darryl Pickering made a pledge to run the 2010 London marathon in her memory and raise £3,000 for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).

Darryl lead more than 100 teachers, pupils and parents in the fundraising event to generate even more money for CRY. The children were sponsored to cycle, walk or run the circuit. The activities began with a mass warm-up for everyone participating, before pupils donned their running shoes or mounted their bikes to complete as many laps of the circuit as possible within one hour. The event raised £800 in total, bringing Darryl within £700 of his overall target.

As part of the fundraiser, Eaton Primary School’s cross country club organised a special 26 mile circuit relay event. The young runners hope that their combined time of four hours 20 minutes is quicker than their headmaster’s final time when he runs the London marathon on April 25 .

Eaton Primary School headteacher Darryl Pickering said: “What a fantastic day we have had. This has been a real team effort with children, staff, governors and parents all working together to help raise a substantial amount of money. I would like to thank the local businesses in Tarporley that have sponsored today’s event and I would also like to say a special thank you to Simon Bonser and all at Oulton Park who have been wonderfully supportive from the word go.”