Dumfriesshire schoolchildren ready!

Pudsey and Gladiator Steel made a visit to Calside Primary in Dumfries
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Pupils at Calside Primary School in Dumfries and Galloway were ready for action when they received a visit from TV idol Gladiator Steel.

Inspiring the nation to get active and move like a Gladiator to fundraise for BBC Children in Need, Steel embarked on an epic week-long schools tour up and down the UK – with Calside one of the lucky schools to greet him.

The Dumfries children had entered a competition to win the Gladiator visit by signing up for a free schools fundraising pack which outlined how pupils, parents and staff can take part to raise funds for BBC Children in Need.

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Young fundraisers for the BBC Children in Need appeal at Calside Primary School, Dumfries, enjoyed meeting Gladiator Steel and renewed their efforts to keep healthy and help others
Young fundraisers for the BBC Children in Need appeal at Calside Primary School, Dumfries, enjoyed meeting Gladiator Steel and renewed their efforts to keep healthy and help others

Steel, who met with each class – declaring: “School fundraisers ready!” – put on an extra special Movement and Motivation Masterclass for them.

The workshop saw the children take on the Gladiator head-to-head in a fight of fitness, to see who could complete the most star-jumps in a minute.

Steel also empowered the children to have confidence like a gladiator and got them to think about their own superpower – whether it’s being kind, a good listener or helping others.

He said: “I was thrilled to be able to meet all the brilliant children and faculty at Calside Primary School in Dumfries to challenge them all to move like a Gladiator in our Movement and Motivation Masterclass.

“I have been honoured to be touring the UK with BBC Children in Need as it is an amazing opportunity to inspire the next generation to get active, improve their wellbeing while raising money for Pudsey.

“Everything that we raise together will help BBC Children in Need be there for children and young people when they need it most.”

The Calside Primary pupils are helping Pudsey with raising fund for the BBC Children In Need Appeal
The Calside Primary pupils are helping Pudsey with raising fund for the BBC Children In Need Appeal

Garth McIlorum, principal teacher at Calside Primary, said: “Children in Need day is always one of the children’s favourite days of the year, and this year we have raised money by encouraging staff and pupils to come in their pyjamas and all pupils also had the opportunity to donate by guessing Pudsey’s birthday.

“It was so special that Steel stopped by the school on his tour to put on an incredible session inspiring the children to be motivated, energised and to be confident like a Gladiator.”

There was an extra treat with pupils getting to see a Gladiators live streamed event as a “massive thank you” for fundraising this year.