ST PETROC’S School in Bude has shown a great deal of support to a local family and CLIC Sargent by covering the distance from Bude to Bristol Children’s Hospital and back again.

The school held a fundraising event on Monday, February 5, whereby the pupils, staff and supporting parents could get involved by travelling the distance from Bude to the oncology unit at Exeter Hospital, where pupil Isabel Swan has been receiving treatment for leukaemia.

However, the event saw participants and supporters cover an astonishing distance from Bude, all the way to Bristol Children’s Hospital and back again through running, skipping, walking, rowing, cycling and more.

People of all ages — from the children in St Petroc’s early years department to parents and grandparents — got involved in the activities, raising as much money for CLIC Sargent as possible.

The Swan family from Bude has extended grateful thanks to the school for their support.

Four-year-old Isabel Swan, daughter of Nick and Sophie, was diagnosed with leukaemia last May. She is currently at stage five of her treatment, which is 18 months long, and receives tablets and medicine at home, with occasional trips to Exeter Hospital.

Nick, Isabel’s father, told the Post about how she is coping.

“She’s been really positive throughout the whole experience, so we’ve been quite lucky with that,” he said.

“Since she’s been on the maintenance plan, she’s been really happy — she’s at the age where she loves school. Of course, there is the odd day when she has weak spots, but that’s to be expected.”

The family have only lived in Bude for over a year, but have already experienced the vast amount of support from the community.

Nick continued: “It’s been amazing. We’ve only lived in the area, coming up to two years now, but we’ve been involved with the local parents’ groups, which have been really good, and the whole community has been really supportive.”

Isabel has two younger siblings — Megan and Charlie.

Nick added: “I’d like to thank St Petroc’s School for all their support and a massive thank you to CLIC Sargent, who have been a huge help to us. We had to spend three weeks at Bristol, and then a further few weeks after that, and they were so helpful there.

“A massive thank you to the community, CLIC Sargent and St Petroc’s School — and the staff, parents and children involved in the fundraising. During the fundraiser, they managed to cover the distance from Bude to Bristol Children’s Hospital, and all the way back again, which is fantastic.”