The 54-year-old, who is a keen sportsman, is tackling the Leeds 10K to raise funds for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice.

But he is also using the event, which will see 11,000 people taking part in the city centre course on June 22, to help teach his pupils at Beeston Primary about achieving their potential.

"Several people connected with our school knew Jane either personally or professionally and we were all very moved when she died last year," said Mr Lees.

"As part of our curriculum, we use something called social and emotional aspects of learning, which include talking about our personal heroes such as David Beckham and Paula Radcliffe.

"Jane was one of those heroes. She was a local girl who found herself in a particular situation but responded wonderfully and rose to complete some incredible challenges.

"This term's work has been on personal qualities, how each of use have our own talents and how we need to work on those talents, even if you are as gifted as someone like David Beckham."

Mr Lees is no stranger to sporting events. A former marathon runner, he regularly takes part in triathlons with his Calderdale-based club and can regularly be found pounding the streets around his school before work and during lunch breaks.

Drawing on their head as inspiration, children at Beeston Primary are themselves in training and plan to take part in a 1.5-mile fun run that will take place before this September's Leeds Half Marathon.

"We have lots of children here who run," said the head. "I believe that during last year's half marathon fun run we had more pupils than any other school.

"They were really enthusiastic about me doing the Run For All and they have been collecting sponsorship on my behalf from parents and staff. I'm looking forward to what should be a really memorable day."

* Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Lees can contact Beeston Primary on (0113) 2716978.