Archives for August 2019

Derwen College press officer Eluned Watson is one of a team of 10 running Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon on Sunday, 8th September for Derwen College Charity.

The team hope to raise £1000 to help support students with special educational needs and disabilities in their learning, independence, work placements and wellbeing. Sponsor Eluned and her teammates here.

Eluned talks about why she started running and why she’s taking part in the half marathon:

What is your running experience? I hated cross country at school and was never particularly sporty. I didn’t start running until my late 30s, with the big 4-0 looming. After three children, I wanted to lose a bit of weight and become fitter but couldn’t find time or money to join a gym. A friend suggested we train for the first Shrewsbury Half Marathon in 2013 which seemed a big ask for someone who had never even  run three miles. However, I followed a training plan and we managed it. It was a steady pace but that didn’t matter, we got to the finish line together and it was an emotional experience. Since then, my running is a bit up and down, with quite a few injuries putting me out of action along the way.

I haven’t run a half marathon for a long time but try to keep the jogging up as a member of Shropshire Shufflers but it’s usually only five miles at a time. I’m hoping to gradually up my runs to 10 or 11 miles before the big day but there’s still got a long way to go.

What do you want to achieve by taking part in the LVHM? I’m hoping that signing up for Lake Vyrnwy will motivate me to run more over the summer holidays – a time when it’s often difficult to force myself out for a run.  The bonus of raising money for Derwen College Charity is an added incentive.

How do you stay motivated to run/train? I sometimes struggle with motivation. Knowing that completing the half marathon will help support our students in their learning, work placements and wellbeing is the push I need to get out there and train when I’d prefer to sit in the garden sipping a gin and tonic.

What is your role at Derwen College? Digital and Press Officer. I’m the one who needs to make sure everyone knows about all the brilliant things we do at Derwen College.

What you do love about working at Derwen College? The best things about working at Derwen College are the students and my fellow staff. With the support of dedicated teaching and care staff, our students don’t let learning difficulties and disabilities hold them back. They take part in challenging activities, sports and Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards alongside their vocational learning and work placements. It’s an inspiring and friendly place to work.

Favourite food: I love a decent pizza, and cheesecake, just two of the reasons I need to go jogging.

Favourite music choice: I enjoy a bit of 90s indie but for running something a bit more upbeat or motivational like ‘Eye of the Tiger’.

Derwen College Learning Support Assistant (LSA) Rosie Keaney is one of a team of ten running Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon for Derwen College Charity on Sunday, 8th September.

She joins Liv Evans, Eluned Watson, Paul Moss, Siobhan Williams, Sarah Bennett, Pete Williams, Steve Evans, Ffiona Lewis, Erin Fletcher and former student Adam Ffoulkes-Fenner.

All money raised will go towards supporting our students in their learning, work placements and wellbeing. Every donation helps, so please support the team at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/lakevyrnwyhalf

Rosie tells us a little about her motivation for running for Derwen:

What is your running experience? Running experience is – none! (I did cross country in primary school!)

What do you want to achieve by taking part in the LVHM? I want to prove that you don’t have to be fit or ‘into’ running to take part in a half marathon (couch to half marathon?!). I’d also love to prove to myself that I can do it.

How do you stay motivated to run/train? My motivation is to raise money for a charity (Derwen College Charity) to put something back into the wonderful place I work, and give our students more opportunities.

What is your role at Derwen College? I am an LSA in Horticulture! I love my role as I get to be outside all day everyday and teach the students how to love and cherish the wonderful world of plants.

What you do love about working at Derwen College? I love Derwen as no day is the same. The students we have are unique and constantly show a positive alternative on life. The students bring a positive and exciting energy and are always able to brighten the darkest of days.

Favourite food: 1000% white chocolate ice cream 😍😍😍

Favourite band: Rudimental

Hair and beauty stylist Erin Fletcher is the only member of #TeamDerwen who doesn’t work at the college. She joined the gang in support of her sister and running partner Siobhan Williams who is a teacher at the college. The pair completed Liverpool Half Marathon together in May and are keen to carry on the training to support Derwen College Charity.

Support Erin and the team through their blisters and chaffing by donating whatever you can spare here.

Erin tells us more …

1. What is your running experience? Over the past 4 years or so I have part taken in four half marathons: Lake Vyrnwy twice, Chirk and Liverpool Rock and Roll Half Marathon. I have also completed a 5K Race for Life and some 10k races.
2. What do you want to achieve by taking part in the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon?  I would like to achieve my personal best of under 2hr 22mins.
3. How do you stay motivated to run/train? Knowing i have an event to train for keeps me motivated when working a busy lifestyle and knowing I am raising money.
4. What did you join Team Derwen? My sister is a teacher at Derwen and after taking part in the Mother’s day 10k walk I thought it would be nice to join in with the half marathon too. Although I do not work at Derwen College the opportunities and activities the students take part in and the fundraising events are all positive and great for the schools community and lifestyle. 
5. Favourite food  Has to be pasta
6. Favourite music/band I love all music from 60s to current especially Motown.

Sarah Bennett is the latest runner to join #TeamDerwen taking part in Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon on Sunday, 8th September.

Please support the group in raising money for Derwen College Charity at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/lakevyrnwyhalf

We asked Sarah a little bit about what motivated her to sign up for the 13-mile run.

1. What is your running experience?

I have participated in numerous other events and am a member of Oswestry Olympians running club.

2. What do you want to achieve by taking part in the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon?

To raise money for the college and to complete my 2nd half marathon and hopefully beat my previous best time. It will be a good training run as I am training for the 16.3 mile Chester Metric Marathon in October.

3. How do you stay motivated to run/train?

Running with other people helps, trying to beat my previous best times. I also lost four stones so keeping fit and pushing my body to take on new challenges is great motivation.

4. What is your role at Derwen College? 

I am a Learning Support Assistant in the Horticulture pathway. I support students with their work experience in the garden centre and greenhouses on site and on external placements with employers.

5. What you do love about working at Derwen College

I enjoy taking the students on external work placements and seeing them grow in confidence.

6. Favourite food

Cake and ice cream!! Another motivation for running so that I can eat them and not feel as guilty 😂

7. Favourite music/band

Muse, keeps me going on long runs.

Olyvia Evans is one of a team of 10 from Derwen College who are running Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon. Team Derwen will be taking part in the run on 8th September in aid of Derwen College Charity.

We asked learning support assistant Liv to tell us a bit about herself and her motivation for taking part.

What is your running experience?

I completed the Lake Vrynwy Half Marathon two years ago for Derwen College. That has been the only running experience I have had since leaving school!

What do you want to achieve by taking part in the Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon?

I am taking part again as it’s a great opportunity to raise money to help benefit our students and the college. 

How do you stay motivated to run/train?

Signing up to events like this allows me to challenge myself and so gives me something to work towards.

What is your role at Derwen College and what do you like about working here?

At Derwen College I work as an LSA in the Work Experience and Transition team. This is great as it enables me to observe students progression in real work environments and be a part of their journey in to possible employment. 

All money raised will go towards supporting our students in their learning, work placements and wellbeing. Every donation helps, so please support the team at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/lakevyrnwyhalf