TEACHERS from a Lickey Hills school swapped the usual 3 R's for running, respect and raising cash in the name of a stricken colleague.

Seven staff from Lickey Hills Primary on Old Birmingham Road raised £1,179 - and counting - for Cancer Research UK by running the Birmingham 10k.

They were spurred on to take up the challenge by the plight of colleague Dave Weston who is battling a brain tumour for the second time.

Dave, 41, has been a teacher at the school for many years and was first diagnosed with a benign tumour in 2014.

Unfortunately, it turned cancerous two years ago and, after successful treatment, it returned last November, meaning Dave has needed additional chemotherapy.

He said: "I feel very lucky that I've got such good friends that I work with.

"I appreciate the time and the effort that the runners have put in to do the Birmingham 10k and am impressed that they all managed a smile at the end of it!

"I hope we can still get more donations for CRUK and make their efforts even more worthwhile."

The staff run was coordinated by Year 5 teacher Sarah Brooks, who added: "It was a fantastic day.

"Even though it rained and the course was a little hilly, we had a real team spirit and it's absolutely fantastic that we have raised this much money for such a great cause.

"Dave has amazed us all through his courage and determination as he now undergoes treatment fighting brain cancer for the second time.

"We wanted to help continue the ongoing journey into finding a cure for cancer and to help people and their families going through this difficult time."

Anyone wishing to donate to the cause can do so by visiting

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lickey-hills-primary-school

This year's Birmingham 10k was not the first time a group of staff led by Sarah had tackled the event.

They did the same last year, raising more than £3,000 for Birmingham Children's Hospital which was treating a pupil from the school for leukaemia at the time.

And their fundraising efforts are far from over - because the teachers are not letting their students get off lightly.

On Wednesday, June 12, they will be holding a whole school run where each class will run for 30 minutes, with parents, family and friends encouraged to sponsor pupils.