Video: Varndean goat race raises thousands for Comic Relief

Five pygmy goats have been residents at the Balfour Road school since September, and are called Alan, Ethel, Maya, Bertrand and William.

The goats are named after each of the four ‘schools’ - or houses; Maya Angelou, Bertrand Russell, Alan Turing and Ethel Ellis. The fifth goat, William, shares his name with the headteacher.

The school organised a ‘goat race’ to raise funds for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day, and after the race the school handed over a cheque for £3,500.

The goats were guided along the trail with food, and Alan was victorious, winning the race.

Headteacher William Deighan explained why the school decided to adopt the pygmy goats.

“Hilary, our business manager came from a school that had a farm, and the goats there had babies. We had a patch of land that was a bit run down and needed grazing.”

The pygmy goats arrived at the school in September, and are loved by students and staff alike.

Mr Deighan said the goats sometimes attend assemblies, and Alan was the focus of a Christmas film made by students; ‘Alan The Killer Goat’.

They even have their own Facebook and Twitter accounts.

On the fundraising race, Mr Deighan said he and the four schools had a competition on who could raise the most, and in just three weeks they raised £3,500.

To find out more about the Varndean Goats, visit: www.varndean.co.uk/goats