School Principal Completes 15-Mile ‘Chicken Run’ in Memory of Four-Year-Old Jesse
By Education Correspondent
15 miles, 11 schools, thousands of smiling children, hundreds of smiling staff, tens of smiling strangers, one chicken and one extremely proud aunt.
If you saw a team of superheroes following a giant chicken through the streets of Bristol this week, your eyes were not deceiving you – it was a school principal completing a charity run in memory of her four-year-old nephew.
Alex Davies leads Snowdon Village, a group of four Bristol schools which educate students who have either been excluded from mainstream education, or whose needs make it hard for them to succeed in mainstream classrooms.
Three years ago, Alex’s family suffered a tragic loss when her nephew Jesse died from a genetic condition so rare than it had never been diagnosed.
And this week, Alex and friends took to the streets on Undiagnosed Children’s Day (Friday 25th April) to complete a sponsored 15-mile run around a number of Bristol schools, with participants wearing superhero costumes honouring Jesse (and all the other children facing their fears who have an undiagnosed need) and one of his favourite things, chickens.
Pupils at the participating schools waved and cheered the runners on as they passed their school. Some special schools on the route opened their playground and so students could high five or fist bump the runners as they passed.
The run was designed to raise money for two causes close to Alex’s heart.
The first is SWAN UK, the UK’s only dedicated support network in the UK for families affected by a syndrome without a name – a genetic condition so rare it often remains undiagnosed, like the one Jesse fought against.
That is why Alex chose to complete her run on Undiagnosed Children’s Day.
Alex said: “During his short life, Jesse faced his fear and taught himself to walk. Jesse also absolutely loved chickens.
“The fun run ‘Chase the Chicken’ was meant to inspire people to face their fears and do things they never thought were possible, like run 15 miles, climb Snowdon or walk across a bridge when everyone told you that you would never be able to walk.
“But also, many of the children we support at Snowdon Village have an undiagnosed need, which is why we feel this is an important charity to support.”
The second cause Alex was fundraising for was the Big Trip, an adventure activity for some of the most disadvantaged students at Snowdon Village.
The two-day expedition will see students – many of whom have never been outside of Bristol before – complete a supervised trek to the summit of Mount Snowdon in Wales.
During May, hundreds of Alex’s colleagues from schools within Snowdon Village’s parent trust the Cabot Learning Federation will be taking part in runs and walks of their own to support the cause.
They will be joining a series of events throughout the West Country – including the Great Bristol Run on 11 May.
Alex said: “The run was a huge success. I have run many races in my time but this has to be the best run I have ever done – seeing so many smiling children. Jesse would have loved it.
“We have already raised over £2,000. Half will be going to SWAN UK and half we will use to take our Snowdon Village superheroes to the top of a mountain that is special to us, Mount Snowdon. Thank you to everyone who has already sponsored us.”
Anyone who would like to add a donation in recognition of Alex’s efforts should visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/chase-the-chicken-a-15-mile-sponsored-fun-run
If you have a positive story or uplifting news to share, we’d love to hear from you!
Just email us at news@goodnewspost.co.uk.
Whether it's a local hero, an act of kindness, or a personal win, your story could help spread joy and improve someone’s mental health. Let’s make the world a little brighter, one good news story at a time.
And don’t forget—you can sign up for free to get the latest feel-good stories straight to your inbox!
