Staff at Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy have teamed up to take part in a Cancer Research UK Race for Life Pretty Muddy event after two shock health diagnoses.

Teacher Fliss Pitts said: “My friends and work colleagues formed the team following the news that my cousin, Hazel Ellis, who I am really close to, has been told she has terminal cancer.”

Hazel, who has children aged four and two, was initially diagnosed with cancer in April 2023, and underwent intensive chemotherapy, surgery twice, and 15 rounds of radiotherapy.

Last September she was given the all-clear, but after feeling unwell and having more tests in March, was told the cancer had returned — and was now terminal.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Fliss. “In addition to this, a work colleague, Karen Wardhaugh, a much-loved member of staff at Bilsthorpe Flying High, has also been given a similar diagnosis, which is treatable but incurable.

“Doing this race won’t change the situation in the short term, but it’s one small way that as a school team we are trying to help.”

Team Smile will tackle the 5k event at the National Water Sports Centre, Holme Pierrpont, on 21st June.

Headteacher Sarah Camish, who is also taking part, added: “We all wanted to help in any way possible. Hopefully this contribution will help fund research into finding treatments, and a cure.”

The team — which also includes Alexander Topliss, Charlotte Walters, Hannah Harper, Brogan Evans, Jenny Pavier, Laura Smith, Lucy Brodie, Nykki Hinton, Olivia Key, Richard Barr-Shaw, Sophie Chapman and Stephanie Wilson — can be supported at https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/team-smile-2

ABOVE: Some of the members of Team Smile at Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy.