PROUDLY holding a special torch they made at Amery Hill School, children from four primary schools took part in a Race for Life relay inspired by two children whose mum died from cancer last year.

Madison, eight, and Jacob, four, pupils at Chawton Primary School, wanted to do “something special” in memory of their mum, Jen Avis-Smith, and had the idea of making a torch that could become the focus of a relay race.

It is also linked to the 5k Race For Life which was run in Basingstoke on Sunday and 116 of Jen’s family and friends took part, including many of the children from the schools. The fund they started to raise money for Cancer Research now stands at £5,000.

Bentworth Primary School headteacher Jo Ayres said “Our target is £10,000 and it was wonderful how we all came together to take part in the Race For Life at Basingstoke and I, like all our group, were all wearing our special T-shirts.

“Madison and Jacob have been wonderful. It was they who inspired the school relay races taking part this week and they were there at Amery Hill School helping to make the torch.”

Asked about their plan for the races, Madison said: “I want to take part in the relay races with my friends to help remember everyone who has had cancer.”

Jacob said: “The races will be fun. I miss mummy, she used to make me Batman cakes and she used to make me laugh. I will be watching my sister taking part in the races.”

The first race took place at Bentworth Primary School on Tuesday morning and Binsted Primary in the afternoon.

On Wednesday, the torch was passed to Andrews Endowed School at Holybourne, and tomorrow Madison and Jacob will take part in the last one at Chawton Primary School.