A group of Ipswich high school staff and family, who took part in a charity race, raised £4,000 and surprised everyone by winning the event.

The team from Copleston High School participated in Ipswich's Race for Life last Sunday to collect funds for Cancer Research UK.

Two members commemorated their father's deaths on Father's Day by running, while others honored loved ones and colleagues who had died.

Mitchell Standing, a science teacher, won that day's 10k race Mitchell Standing, a science teacher, won that day's 10k race (Image: Submitted)

Among them was Nikita Williamson, a teacher, who took part despite having an artificial bowel following her recent battle with stage three bowel cancer - an illness for which Cancer Research UK helped fund the research.

The team were cheered when Mitchell Standing, a science teacher, astonishingly clinched that day's 10k timed race.

He said: “I really wasn’t expecting to finish first.

Nikita Williamson, a teacher, took part despite having an artificial bowel following her recent battle with Stage 3 bowel cancer Nikita Williamson, a teacher, took part despite having an artificial bowel following her recent battle with Stage 3 bowel cancer (Image: Submitted)

"I kept thinking someone would overtake me.

"I’m happy that the Copleston team managed to raise the most money too.”

They embraced the day as a fantastic boost for staff well being and a chance to collaborate outside the school while aiding an essential cause.