The Victoria College Bruce House students tear off at the start of the Run for Helen. Picture by Richard Wainwright (00730837)

MORE than 100 Victoria College students paid tribute to their late housemaster with a sponsored run from West Park to Bel Royal last week.

It is the second year in succession that the boys have run the route in memory of Helen Blake, who was housemaster of Bruce before she died of cancer last year.

The Run for Helen has so far raised £1,200, with most of the money going towards a commemorative bench in honour of the late teacher which will be located in the Victoria College grounds. The rest of the money will be donated to Jersey Hospice and Cancer Research.

The boys wore blue for the run, which is the house colour for Bruce, and some parents joined in for extra support.

Bruce housemaster Heather Medhurst said that the run was established last year after Helen died. ‘We did the run last year in memory of Helen and it went so well that we decided to make it an annual event,’ she said. ‘This year the boys did so well again and some raised incredible amounts. I’m really pleased.’

Miss Medhurst said that the idea of raising money for a commemorative bench came about because Helen used to enjoy sitting in the grounds of the college.

‘Members of staff thought it would be nice if we had something to commemorate Helen,’ she said. ‘She used to sit and contemplate outside on the benches in the sunshine, so we though that a bench would be appropriate.’