THREE young Wellington primary school pupils put on their running shoes for charity and have smashed their target.

Roy Guttmann and two friends Archie Steer and Max Cocksedge took up the challenge to run a 10K as part of Rockwell Green Primary School’s civic awards run in conjunction with Wellington Town Council.

While most of the year five pupils baked cookies, or made bracelets, Roy decided to raise money for Breast Cancer Now by running.

Together, they smashed their £500 target, raising £1,000 for the charity, which is close to Roy’s heart.

His mother Nellie was diagnosed with breast cancer when he was just two years old.

Roy said: “I hope that by raising money Breast Cancer Now can help other people going through it so they do not feel sad.

“I am so happy that my mates Archie and Max wanted to do it as well because it means, I hope, that we will be able to raise even more money.”

The three fund-raisers started and finished the run at their school, with a route taking them through the Basins and Wellington Park.

The intrepid runners had planned to do a collective 10km, covering 3.3 km each, but they actually went further, each running 3.45 kilometres.

Following in his mother’s footsteps, Roy ran the route wearing a Breast Cancer Now running vest with his mother’s name on it.

Ms Guttman made the decision to run the London Marathon in 2022 on behalf of Breast Cancer Now as part of her recovery following treatment.

Ahead of the 10K, Max said that he wanted to run with his friends to raise money for the charity and being part of the run was a fun and challenging way to do it, while Archie said that he enjoys running and wants to raise money that will go to help people who need it.

Ms Guttman said of the three boys’ achievements: “Words cannot express how proud I am of Roy, and Archie, and Max, for doing this run for Breast Cancer Now.

“Roy was only two when I went through treatment, and the fact he picked this charity specifically to stop others feeling sad, in his words,, makes you realise how much children really take in

“ I am blown away by his strength and compassion and I am just so proud of him.

“A thousand pounds is such an incredible amount to have raised, Breast Cancer Now do so much brilliant work, including for younger women with breast cancer and their families.

“Feeling we can give back after all the support we had is wonderful.

“Roy, Archie, and Max and their families all want to express so much thanks to everybody who has donated.”

Donations can still be made to the online fund-raising page.

Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s leading cancer charity.

Nearly a million people are living with or beyond breast cancer, and the figure is set to reach more than 1.4 million by 2050.