FERGUS – Only a few weeks into the new school year and already students and staff at J.D. Hogarth Public School have found their school spirit.
The school held its Terry Fox Run on Sept. 29 and set a goal of raising $1,300 for the cause – something it couldn’t do at all last year and had to modify the run for safety reasons this year as well.
But one teacher, James Fielding, challenged the school community to do better than that, promising to run one kilometer for every $30 raised, up to 42km. And didn’t the students go and raise $1,600.
That meant Fielding had to run, and on Sept. 30 he took to the field behind the school, running 42km in 4.5 hours.
“We really came together as a school community,” said Sara Ladner, who teaches Grade 3 and reached out to the Advertiser for this story. “It’s something we missed out on last year and the kids really got into it this year.”
Once Fielding started his run, he was never alone. There was always one class, or another, or another, on the sidelines cheering and clapping and encouraging him on.
“We had a cheering squad out there at all times,” Ladner said, adding some students and teachers also ran a few laps with him to keep his spirits up.
“And we had great discussions on why we run for the Terry Fox Run and what he (Fox) did for us and what we can do for others. Doing for others has become a common theme this year.”
Two days after his run, Fielding said he was still a little sore but warm in his heart.
“I ran cross-country in university but not much since,” he said. “It was pretty amazing to see how excited the kids were.”
Fielding noted that Terry Fox ran 42km a day for 143 days during his Marathon of Hope, “and he did it with one leg. It’s very humbling,” Fielding said.
Jackie Parkin, who has a son at J.D. Hogarth, called Fielding’s gesture “inspiring.”
“The extra personal effort that Mr. Fielding put into this event is truly remarkable. I was amazed as a parent, and I know the students of JD Hogarth were energized and inspired by his efforts,” Parkins wrote in an email.
“There are not enough words to describe the extra effort he brings to his calling as a teacher. We are so fortunate to have him leading and inspiring our children.”
