Football legend and Liverpool Lioness Sue Smith returns to her old school to inspire pupils in their charity challenge

Pupils at Saint Bartholomew’s School, Rainhill, had a VIP surprise on Thursday, when former pupil and England Lioness Sue Smith returned to her old school to inspire the children and help them towards completing their charity fitness challenge.

The children have signed up to walk a total of 200km over 40 days as part of a ‘Big Lent Walk’, organised by the Catholic charity CAFOD. At St Bart’s their strategy is to walk 1 mile around the school playground every day. The school has a 'mile line', put in by kind supporters a few years ago to encourage children to get outside and take on fundraising challenges just like this one, and they’re already more than halfway to their goal!

Sue attended St Bart’s before starting her footballing career as a teenager at Tranmere Rovers. On her visit she gave the children exercise tips, warm-up drills and even took them through some practice runs round the playground. Those present also had a chance to see Sue’s England cap and medal and hear how it had always been her dream to play football – although she admitted she had to join the boys’ team when she first started.

Sue Smith

During her career, Sue Smith earned 94 England caps and represented her country in multiple UEFA Women's Championships and the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Sue played for several clubs including Leeds United, Doncaster Belles and Tranmere Rovers, but on Thursday she said her only regret was that she never played for Everton. Since retiring from professional football, Sue has become a regular pundit and commentator, offering her insights and analysis on Sky and BBC. She’s also gained a new generation of young gaming fans as an FC 25 commentator.

This week though she was back at Saint Bartholomew’s, as an ambassador for the Catholic charity CAFOD.

Big Lent Walk

Hundreds of schools like St Bart’s have signed up to take part in CAFOD’s ‘Big Lent Walk’. Individuals, schools and parishes commit to walk, run or swim a total of 200km over 40 days during Lent. The fundraising initiative by the Catholic charity is now in its third year, and involves thousands of school children across England, Scotland and Wales. This year’s challenge is being backed by big-name stars such as TV presenter Dermot O’Leary and ITV newsreader and journalist Julie Etchingham.

Sue Smith has signed up herself. She plans to cover the entire 200km by running, and has also got her family involved. Her mum, a longtime CAFOD supporter, is currently beating Sue at fundraising. Sue told CAFOD: “My mum is super competitive, so I know where I get it from. But she is 84 and I am so proud of her!”

After the visit to St Bart’s, Sue said: “It has been so brilliant coming back to my old primary school St Bart’s and I’ve been so impressed seeing all the children taking on the Big Lent Walk with such enthusiasm. I remember fundraising for CAFOD when I was at this school, so when I found out they were doing this I was 100% going to be involved. Getting out and getting active is something I like to push as much as I can and so this is a perfect way to do it.”

Helen Forrest, Deputy Head of St Bart’s, said:

“It was so inspiring that Sue Smith could join us today - it’s definitely a day our children will never forget. They have to walk 70 laps of the playground in Lent, so hopefully by the time we break up next week they will have achieved that and collectively we will have walked 200 km - a big achievement for us!”

Headteacher Melanie Lockley added:

“Our children recognise that the walking they are doing today will generate sponsorship money which will be used to help their global brothers and sisters around the world who are less fortunate than themselves. We know that physical development is linked to positive mental health so getting the children outside and encouraging them to do something like this is a perfect opportunity to support our pupils' development as well as fundraising to help others.”

Every pound raised from ‘Big Lent Walk’ sponsorship will go towards helping those facing poverty and injustice due to conflict and climate change.

It’s not too late to sign up: walk.cafod.org.uk