A HEADTEACHER is taking part in the Brighton Half Marathon because her school is so short of money.

Helen Longton-Howorth will be among 17 teachers and parents from Carden Nursery and Primary School competing on February 25.

She said money is much needed at her school in County Oak Avenue, Brighton.

She said: “Like many schools, Carden is facing tough times.

“Schools are struggling at the moment.

“It’s getting harder to pay for what we require to run the school and provide what our pupils need and deserve.

“For example, school trips have huge educational value but we know they can be a financial burden for our less well-off families.

“We want to make sure all our pupils can go on them, whatever their background.

“We also want our children to benefit from more visits by authors and other inspirational people.

“As far as I know we’re the first school in the city to run a half-marathon as a fundraiser for our school.

“Many of us have never even jogged for the bus before, let alone run a half marathon.

“It’s a tribute to the spirit of our school that so many staff and parents signed up to do this.”

Carden Primary School is currently raising money to refurbish and run its swimming pool.

The team of 17 is hoping to raise enough money to run the

swimming pool for an initial first year.

Assistant head Paul Harrington, teachers Dan Holmes and Rachel Tyndel plus support staff, parents and even the husband of a teacher are all taking part.

Its total raised so far stands at £1,88.75.

Anyone can sponsor the Carden team by logging on to our story online at www.theargus.co.uk.

The head’s actions come after repeated warnings from schools in Sussex that they are facing a cash crisis.

We reported yesterday that schools in Brighton and Hove have invoiced the Government for more than £48 million as part of a campaign demanding fairer funding.

The Worth Less? campaign, which is fighting for fair and adequate school funding, sent the bill to the Treasury for the money it says it should be getting to run schools.