Solihull Junior School pupils were so impressed by their visit to a local children’s charity that they made an Olympian effort to support it.

Solihull Junior School pupils show their Olympic spirit by space hopping for charity in their sponsored decathlon in aid of the Norman Laud Association

All 204 boys and girls at the independent school staged a two-hour long decathlon on their Warwick Road campus that raised a remarkable £5,243.11 for the Sutton-Coldfield-based Norman Laud Association.

The youngsters took part in ten track and field events in aid of the charity, which provides quality short break services for children and adults with special needs and support services for their families.

They were sponsored by friends, families and neighbours as they ‘space hopped’, ‘welly wanged’ and clambered under cargo nets as part of the fun-filled events.

Junior School Council members viewed the facilities at the Norman Laud Centre and Emscote House earlier this year to learn more of the extraordinary work of the charity, whose President is the wheelchair-bound rugby star Ben Smoldon.

Jane Clarke, Community Fundraiser for the Norman Laud Association, said: “We are so overwhelmed by the generosity of the pupils, and their friends and family who sponsored them. This is a substantial donation that means we can enhance our specialised equipment at both of our respite centres.

“Around 90 children and 90 adults with profound and complex special needs will soon be able to access and enjoy technology regardless of their disability, all thanks to Solihull Junior School.”

Mark Penney, Deputy Headmaster of Solihull Junior School, said: “Our boys and girls have kept the spirit of the London Olympics alive with their wonderful efforts and tremendous success in raising money for such a remarkable charity.”