Pupils at a Grimsby primary school came out in their hundreds to show their support to their inspiring teacher in the form of a training run, as he gears up to run the
London Marathon for a cause incredibly close to his heart. On Wednesday morning, pupils from each year group at Scartho Junior Academy ran for half-an-hour each alongside teacher Jack Graves, who will be running the marathon next month to raise money for the National Deaf Children's Society. After Jack and his wife Bethany welcomed their adorable son Hudson in October 2022, the couple said it was "one of the worst moments of their lives" when doctors told them he was profoundly deaf. READ MORE: All the Easter activities you can expect at Freshney Place this weekend from Peter Rabbit to a petting zoo Love floods in for 'incredible' Benedict - dog with no eyes who needs a forever home After Hudson had a cochlear implant - a small electronic device that provides a sense of sound to people who are deaf - fitted at
Christmas time, Jack said that watching his son begin to hear things during day-to-day life has been an "unbelievably emotional" journey. Speaking to Grimsby Live, he said: "It was unbelievably emotional when he first turned his head when we called his name. It's something so simple for most people, but for him it's a really impressive achievement. Pupils cheered Jack on during the special event (Image: Grimsby Live/Donna Clifford) "It just melts your heart to see technology make such a difference to his life. Without it he can't hear a thing, and you can see how much happier he is after having it fitted. When you turn his implant on in the morning he gets all giddy and smiley. It's changed his life and had such a positive impact on him. "We've done a lot of work with him trying to get him to speak. You constantly have to make noise to him, and when you see it's had an effect and he's starting to interact with you and with toys that make sounds, it's amazing. It's life-changing for him and for us, and it's really moving to watch." Jack and his wife Bethany with Hudson (Image: Submitted) Jack said that without the support he and wife Bethany have received from the National Deaf Children's Society, he is "not sure what they would have done". Incredibly, he has already surpassed his target of raising £2,000 for the organisation by running the London Marathon - but wants to raise as much as he possibly can. Through his role as a teacher at Scartho Junior Academy, Jack has helped to organise many fundraising activities over the last few months, including a Sponsored Silence where pupils could only communicate by using sign language. Louie was fitted with a cochlear implant in December (Image: Submitted) With less than a month to go until the big day, pupils didn't hesitate in showing their support by running alongside him on Wednesday morning. In just over two hours, he managed to run an incredible 13 miles, half the length of the London Marathon. Jack continued: "I went out at 9am and each year group joined me for half an hour each on the school field to support me and cheer me on. I ran for two hours and ten minutes, for 13 miles in total on the school field. It was just a celebration for all the money raised. Each year group ran for half-an-hour each alongside Jack (Image: Grimsby Live/Donna Clifford) "I'm feeling a bit nervous for the day, but training has been going OK. So far I've managed to run for 19 miles, but I'm aiming to run for 22 miles this weekend." To donate to Jack's fundraiser for the National Deaf Children's Society, click here .