100 Runners, 85 Kilometres, 15 Schools: Windsor Academy Trust communities unite to eradicate bed poverty in 'WAT a Run 2026'

More than 100 runners from the Windsor Academy Trust (WAT) family took to the streets across the West Midlands and Staffordshire to complete a monumental 85km physical challenge.

The two-day run, known as 'WAT a Run 2026', connected all 15 of the Trust’s schools and was launched to raise £70,000 for the ‘Bed & Breakfast’ campaign, tackling the critical, hidden issue of child bed poverty. Now in its fourth year, the WAT a Run event continues to grow bigger and more ambitious with every iteration, drawing hundreds of local community members who came out in force to show their unwavering support.

A Route Fuelled by Community Spirit: The 85km journey was a spectacular showcase of civic leadership and community pride, with each of the 15 schools hosting unique events to cheer the runners on.

• Day 1 (Staffordshire): The weekend kicked off with brilliant community events hosted by Greenways Primary Academy and Milton Primary Academy, followed by a performance from the school band at Sir Thomas Boughey Academy. After a wonderfully warm welcome from the Newcastle Academy community, runners finished the first 30km at the Clayton Carnival at Clayton Hall Academy, where the massive Staffordshire Rocks Choir sang them over the finish line.
• Day 2 (Halesowen, Birmingham, Walsall and Staffordshire): Sunday began with a very early start at Kingswinford Academy, followed by fantastic events as the Halesowen community came out at Colley Lane Primary Academy, Windsor High School and Sixth Form, Tenterfields Primary Academy, and Manor Way Primary Academy. The team celebrated the opening of the Black Patch Park cycle path at Windsor Olympus Academy, before experiencing high-energy welcomes at Goldsmith Primary Academy and Rivers Primary Academy in Walsall. Great Wyrley Academy supplied much-needed ice lollies to keep the runners moving, culminating in the ultimate finale at Cheslyn Hay Academy for 'Chezfest', where hundreds of community members gathered for an unforgettable celebration.

Running for a Reason: The Bed & Breakfast Campaign - The core mission behind the 85km challenge is simple: a good day at school starts the night before.

Every step taken and every pound dropped into a donation bucket is moving Windsor Academy Trust closer to its £70,000 target. By working to eradicate bed poverty, the Trust is ensuring that young people have their own bed to sleep in, easing financial anxieties for families, and guaranteeing students can get a good night's rest to arrive at school mentally and physically ready to learn.

Vital Support and Partnerships - An event of this massive scale was made possible through the unwavering support of the local community and corporate partners.

The core logistics of the weekend were completely covered by headline sponsors: communications consultancy PLMR Midlands, CHG Meridian, SYNC, and the Edwin Group. Additionally, The Sports Shop generously sponsored the official event t-shirts and vests. Because of this vital backing, every single penny raised by the runners goes directly to the children and families who need it most.