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Amarillo video set to raise vital cash

Michelle McKenna
3/11/2005

FUNNYMAN Peter Kay is leading the way in an Accrington school's bid to gain specialist status.

Staff at Moorhead High School have recreated his video to the hit song Is This Way to Amarillo as part of a campaign to raise the £50,000 it needs to become a sports college.

And copies of the film, which features teachers and support staff including headteacher Andrew Bateman, are selling like hot cakes.

The "stars" of the film take on the roles of the original celebrities in the video and mime along to the Tony Christie classic.

Assistant headteacher Kath Wilson said: "When we showed the video to the students they began ordering copies. It is proving so popular, the kids are loving it. All of the teachers are in it, as well as caretakers and dinner ladies."

The specialist sports status bid was kick-started with a high-profile launch at the Queens Road West school earlier this month, which was attended by former pupil and actress Mina Anwar and a host of sporting stars.

The fund-raising started with a six-mile walk around Accrington and Huncoat by the whole school, including teachers and support staff. This has so far raised £2,500 with form 8EVB, bringing in the most sponsorship money.

Hot on the heels of the video, staff and pupils at the school are working on a number of other money-spinning ideas.

Assistant headteacher Russell Keighley is to run the Monaco Marathon and a 500 Club is being launched with members paying £1 a week. Half of the money will go towards the bid and the other half towards prizes.

Church-based PJ Sports and Leisure is bringing in a large inflatable hoop.

Pupils can pay £1 for three attempts to score a goal through the middle of the hoop.