Fundraisers laced up their trainers to raise thousands of pounds for charity over the BBC’s Sport Relief week.

Serious athletes, youngsters and those in fancy dress got involved in sporting events across Oxfordshire to raise vital cash for disadvantaged people in the UK and abroad.

More than 50 pupils at John Watson Special School in Wheatley took part in an hour-long dance marathon on Thursday and hope to have raised at least £250.

Key Stage Three teacher Claire Watts said Sport Relief was a great way to raise money.

She said: “It’s really accessible for a lot of children.

“It’s a fun day and really popular now.”

In North Oxford, more than 600 people walked or ran a mile around Cuttleslowe Park on Sunday. The city council event is expected to raise about £20,000 in sponsorship after £1,000 was collected on the day.

Girls from Oxford High School played boys from Magdalen College School at netball to raise more than £700 for the charity.

Some 200 spectators saw the girls win both games on Thursday.

Oxford High School pupil, Lauren Turnbull, 18, said Sport Relief was a great way to raise cash for charity.

She added: “Everyone can get involved and do something.”

Team mate Alex Brodey, 18, said: “Not only did we beat the boys but we also helped raise money for a worthwhile cause.”

Even tots at Abingdon Kindergarten joined in, raising more than £300 from a sponsored bounce on a bouncy castle on Wednesday.

At Larkmead School in Abingdon about 600 pupils and teachers ran a mile around the school in fancy dress to raise more than £300.

Headteacher Chris Harris, a former lawyer, ran in a barrister’s outfit in the Friday fun day.

And police computer department staff held a marathon cycle ride on static bikes in the canteen at Thames Valley headquarters in Kidlington.

The seven staff cycled the equivalent of more than 2,200 miles with the help of 10 volunteers who did 30-minute slots after one cyclist fell ill.

So far the fundraisers have collected almost £4,000, with the cash being split between Sport Relief and Oxford Children’s Hospital.

Meanwhile, archers from the County of Oxfordshire Archery Society raised more than £300 from a sponsored target challenge at Iffley Road Sports Centre on Saturday.

And on Friday staff at Yates Lettings in Abingdon held an eight hour cycle challenge outside their office in Vineyard.

Oxford Brookes University also hosted a sponsored mile on Sunday.