Children at a primary school ran a combined total of more than 350 miles to raise money for charity.

Pupils at Chickerell Primary Academy took part in a whole-school sponsored run to raise money for the ASCAR Project in Uganda.

Every child from pre-school to year six classes ran laps of the field with their friends and overall, the students collectively ran 366 miles.

The idea was inspired by a visit to the school from Scott Henley, who is an ambassador for the ASCAR Project in Uganda.

ASCAR is a non-profit organisation and registered charity in Kampala, Uganda which is committed to providing assistance to vulnerable children, youth and women in the community.

Their youth centre provides a safe haven for anyone in need of help.

Dorset Echo: 1812281318122813 (Image: Chickerell Primary Academy)

Deputy Headteacher, Lorraine Llewellyn, said: "The children had a fantastic afternoon running for the ASCAR Project. It was amazing to see very child from our youngest children to the oldest in the school, having the time of their lives running with their friends and showing such enthusiasm, determination and commitment to completing as many laps of the field as possible.

“Our children always make us very proud and today was a great example of how incredible they are.

“Scott was amazing at motivating the children and his presence at this event made it very special for them. He was taken aback by the way the school has embraced the project.

This project has grown from meeting the children's basic needs by providing love, food and shelter to educating the children and inspiring them to aim for careers which would have previously been unattainable.

Pupils from Chickerell then wrote to the charity and received a wonderful letter from the children at ASCAR which told them about their lives and about their wish for a school rather than the makeshift classrooms they currently have.

This letter touched the hearts of the children at Chickerell and the idea of a sponsored run to raise money for the school was born.

Scott joined the children for the sponsored run and ran every lap with them.

Dorset Echo: Scott Henley running with the childrenScott Henley running with the children (Image: Chickerell Primary Academy)

Scott said: “On behalf of ASCAR and myself, I just want to express my gratitude to the children and staff for the time and effort in organising such a fantastic event. We can't thank you enough for all your support."