Last updated at 14:13, Friday, 06 July 2012

THERE was running, jumping and cheering as hundreds of schoolchildren went for gold in their very own version of the Olympics.

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The sun made a rare appearance as Cartmel Priory school hosted six nearby primary schools, putting on a day of sporting activities to celebrate London 2012.

Children from Cartmel, Flookburgh, Grange, Lindale, Leven Valley and Allithwaite primary schools all got involved on Thursday.

There was also an appearance from three Olympic torchbearers, Jim Lavin, Tilly Hughes and Robin Webster.

Henry Macdonald, 11, won the competition to name the event and followed that up with a three-medal haul on the day.

Henry, a year six pupil at Allithwaite, said: “I did the hurdles, vertical jump and the five strides and I won gold in all of them.

“It felt really good, I was surprised to win.

“The hurdles was my favourite event but I was really nervous before it because the people looked really fast.”

Ian Nicol, headteacher at Leven Valley and organiser of the Peninsula Olympics, said: “I have been working with the PE coordinators to plan the event since back in March. Our aim was to try to create a special event to celebrate the Olympics and get everyone involved.

“We have been very fortunate with the weather – it has been a glorious day.

“It was really exciting to see the procession and the atmosphere was great.”

Torchbearer Jim Lavin, a PE lecturer now working in the USA, said: “It has been really well organised and the kids have had a fantastic time – it is what sport should be. As a PE teacher, this is one of the best organised events I have ever been to.”

Mr Lavin, from Grange, carried the flame through Carnforth on June 22.

Headteacher at Allithwaite, Brian Jones, said: “It has been a real team effort between the schools.

“This event is about the children and making sure they have a real opportunity to experience the Olympic spirit.”

Sally Hill, event organiser and PE co-ordinator at Cartmel Priory, said: “Thanks also need to go to the students that have helped out today – they have had a massive role in this.”

Ian Quayle, partnerships and affinities manager at Furness Building Society, one the event’s sponsors, said: “This has been a great way of making the London Olympics truly national – it has captured everybody’s imagination.”

First published at 13:22, Friday, 06 July 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk