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Students finish collective Ironman challenge

Chris CraddockJersey communities reporter
BBC A swimmer wearing goggles performs freestyle in an indoor pool, with one arm raised during the stroke and water splashing around the head. Blue water and red, white and blue lane dividers run alongside the swimmer in a marked swimming lane.BBC
Les Quennevais students took on the challenge for Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey

A group of students collectively completed an Ironman challenge to raise money for a cancer charity.

Between them – the Year 10 students from Les Quennevais School swam 2.4 miles (3.9 km) in the pool, cycled 112 miles (180.2 km) in a spin class and then walked 26.2 miles (42.2 km) to cover the distance.

The students walked the distance instead of running because of the high temperatures on Wednesday.

Together they raised more than £1,150 for Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey.

Eleanor and Parry are in in swimsuits stand on the poolside of an indoor swimming facility. The tiled pool deck extends into the background, with red tiled walls, pool signage and swimming lanes visible.
Eleanor and Parry were in the swimming pool as part of the Ironman challenge

Parry and Eleanor, both 15, were part of the group that swam the 2.4 miles at Les Quennevais Sports Centre.

Parry said "I'm absolutely shattered" and "I thought I was fit but this has proven me wrong so I might have to start swimming".

Eleanor added: "It's really good to do it as a big group because some people maybe don't do as much like cycling or running as others so it evens out."

"I was in a flow state so I had to keep going but it was ok."

Freddie is wearing a blue patterned sports shirt and a backpack stands in a leisure centre corridor beside a noticeboard covered with posters and pool safety information. A doorway and windows are visible in the background.
Freddie, 15, enjoyed doing the challenge with his teachers

Freddie, 15, helped the group complete the cycle distance during a spin class.

He said "it was a bit hard" but "we're doing it for charity, so it's not too bad".

"It's good to see the teachers actually doing it too instead of just telling us to do it... so it's a bit different to school," Freddie added.

"I've got an electric bike so I don't cycle hard that much so that was a bit different."

Hannah is in a blue swimsuit stands beside an indoor swimming pool. The pool, lane markers and bright leisure centre interior are visible in the background, with the water and pool area softly out of focus.
Teacher Hannah Campbell said the students inspired her in her own efforts in the challenge

Teacher Hannah Campbell organised the fundraiser and also joined the students in the pool for the swim.

She said: "I started off in front of Eleanor before having a break and then she was flying ahead of me - she's amazing so that kept me going."

Campbell added "I love triathlons" and "I wanted my form to do something together" before they went into Year 11 and would focus on exams.

She added: "I would love to do things like this again and it would be cool to be able to do this and actually do the proper run with it."

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