STEVE Hill is lacing up his trainers - and taking plenty of "spares" - for yet another adventure.

But this time he’s hoping to leave a long-lasting legacy.

The St Joseph’s RC Primary School deputy head is flying out to the home of long-distance running for the Uganda Marathon.

But before he tackles the dusty heat of the East African 26 miler he’ll be helping out at a school, orphanage and hospital.

As part of the Uganda Marathon mission participants are encouraged to fundraise to support a host of communities in the area and the people who live there.

He’ll be working in Bugabira Primary School, The House of Love and Hope – which helps fund orphans through school – and the Villa Maria Hospital.

Steve will also be helping to organise Kidsrunwild, a sports day for around 300 disadvantaged youngsters which will include football, running, egg and spoon races and face painting.

He’s also been asked to bring second hand trainers to allow local children and adults the “luxury” of suitable footwear while taking part in their favourite sports.

His appeal for the footwear has been overwhelming, he said, with Oldham running clubs, his pupils, parents, friends and family all donating. In fact, he has so many he may have to have them shipped over separately.

Steve flies out to the town of Masaka in the central region of Uganda on Saturday.

He’ll have a few days helping with the community projects and enjoying African hospitality before the race itself on June 4 when over 3,000 descend – including over a hundred international athletes – from across the country.

Unlike anything he’s ever done before, this run isn’t about finishing times, but soaking up the atmosphere and meeting the locals as the route takes him through villages and jungle terrain in temperatures nearing 30C.

“We will be joined by children running with us along route,” said Steve, who is self-funding the trip as well as raising cash for his chosen charities Dr Kershaw’s Hospice, Cancer Research, RSPCA Oldham, St Joseph's PTA and Supporting Shane, a fund which helps out Year 6 pupil, Shane Keating, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

“There’ll be lots of high-fiving going on and being greeted by big smiles from the kids in the villages. It’s going to be an amazing experience and unlike my other challenges there won’t the brutal elements of the environment or the tough mind-over-matter stuff I’ve had to deal with.

“If I can do it under four-and-a-half hours I’ll be happy, but the main thing is being on the start line and finish line and enjoying everything in between. At the end of the day it’s about leaving that legacy and making a difference, not achieving a personal best.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of people donating trainers so a big thank you to them and to everyone who has help me raise money for my charities.

“I put an appeal out on Facebook and suddenly everyone was bringing them in along with T-shirts. I’m going to see about paying for extra baggage to take some of them but if people want to donate more I’ll just send them over when I get back.

“The kids have been bringing in pads, pens and pencils for me to take to the school. They also been writing messages for the youngsters over there on some postcards I had made so they know there’s some love coming there way from these guys.

“I want my classes to get something out of these things themselves and get involved in these opportunities of a lifetime.”

Steve revealed the trip is fuelling his philanthropic dream to one day open up schools in some of the remote places he’s travelled to.

“I have a dream to fund and set up schools in three parts of the world I’ve visited,” said Steve.

“One is Nepal in the Himalayan region, one in Africa and one in South America.

“You just see what a difference education does for children who have nothing but appreciate everything.

“It would be a legacy I can leave behind and I’d love for some of the children I’ve taught at St Joseph’s to come out and help me during their Gap year or something.

“That’s my dream for the future. When I retire.”

If you wish to donate trainers you can take them to St Joseph’s RC Primary School, in Oldham Road, Shaw.