A tough but tender trio from Letchworth are limbering up for a marathon test in memory of a former teacher who they remember as the ‘life and soul’ of their school.
Scott Williams, Craig Cunningham and Satj Aujla are getting ready to run the Milton Keynes Marathon early next month to raise funds for the Garden House Hospice, where Wilbury Junior School teacher Jeff Gentry was cared for before he died three years ago.
Scott said: “Jeff had everyone involved in sport, he was such a role model. He was very big on football and badminton, which we all love.
“He was the life and soul of the school. The three of us are very big on sport, which he really encouraged.
“It was horrible to hear he died.”
Jeff, who had been teaching at the Letchworth school for more than 30 years, passed away at the age of 59 after battling with lung cancer.
After moving on from junior school Scott, Craig and Satj all went on to study at the town’s Fearnhill School, where Jeff ran a number of sports clubs.
Scott has been inspired to follow in Jeff’s footsteps and has enrolled onto a teacher training course starting in June, after doing work experience at Wilbury last month.
He said: “Mr Gentry definitely inspired me to get into teaching.”
The Milton Keynes Marathon will take place on Monday, May 4.
So far the team have raised just over £1,000 for the hospice. If you would like to donate, visit www.justgiving.com/marathonmusketeers.
You can keep up to date with all the latest news from the team by following their blog at marathonmusketeers.blogspot.co.uk.
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