Schoolchildren are warming up in preparation for a half marathon to raise money for charity.

Pupils from several London schools, including St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School Belmont, Sinai Primary School and West Lodge Primary School, hope to tackle the Vitality North London Half Marathon Schools Challenge in aid of St Luke’s Hospice.

Children will cover 13.1 miles by running a mile a week, running the final mile of the challenge with their teachers at the event itself on Sunday, March 15.

Pupils will get their very own Vitality North London Half Marathon goody bag and a winner’s medal for taking part.

Sue Mason, from St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School Belmont, said: “St Luke’s is one of our official charities which we support as a whole. Also, being a Change for Life school, the Vitality North London Half Marathon fits well into the fitness aspect of this.

“The kids have a meeting at lunchtime to discuss ways of being healthier and healthy activities. We have 93 pupils taking part and midday just before their lunch we do a “Mile Monday” in which the children run around the playground about 12 times.

“It’s a little crazy but it’s well organised and they do really enjoy this.”

The half marathon will take runners from Allianz Park in Barnet, home of Saracens Rugby Club, through the streets of north London to Wembley Stadium and then back to Allianz Park.

To get involved with fundraising for St Luke’s Hospice, visit www.stlukes-hospice.org/schools or call Tim Todhunter on 020 8382 8023.