THESE Appletons have to stick together.

Oxford United head coach Michael Appleton helped Appleton CofE Primary School fundraise for desperately-needed new sports pitches by officiating at its sports day.

Mr Appleton gave children a pep talk, officially started 30 races and handed the “school shield” to the winning team at the evening sports tournament.

The school now has more than £32,000 towards the £75,000 it needs for new artificial pitches.

Friends of Appleton School chairman Philip Briscoe said: “The night went really well – Michael starting off by giving the children a pre-race pep talk and then acted as official starter for each race. We raised more than £800 on the night with a barbecue, raffle and a bar.”

Michael Appleton said: “I had spotted my name on the map close to Oxford.

“It was nice to go along and meet people and see the good work they are doing.

“An Astroturf pitch is a great way for the village to get youngsters involved in all kind of sport and I was pleased to be invited.”

The school also raised more than £3,300 at its summer fete the previous weekend and £1,815 the week before that through donations.

Mr Briscoe, whose five-year-old daughter Cecily goes to the school, said: “It’s been a fantastic achievement. Thanks to all parents, children, staff, the local community and charities for helping us along with our fundraising.”

The Friends previously thanked the Oxford Mail for promoting the appeal with an article in March helping boost the total.

The school’s pitch is currently so small that only one class can use it at a time, and is so muddy they can only use it in spring and summer. They are even forced to play on the staff car park at break time, with staff moving their cars out of the way.

The school said the playing field was in such a bad state that if children played on it in the winter it would turn into a mud bath.

Donate online at mydonate.bt.com/charities/friendsofappletonschool