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Tykes on trikes help raise money for children’s hospital

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A Newport Beach preschool’s playground became a track and its pupils became racers to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Thursday and Friday marked Newport Coast Child Development Preschool’s sixth annual Trike-A-Thon. Almost 250 children and their families hauled their tricycles, bicycles and scooters to the school over the two days to race laps around the campus.

Kids tacked on customized license plates, made in class with paper, glitter and crayons. Each had the child’s name on it.

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The paths they raced around the school were adorned with checkered flags.

For the past three weeks, families made donations for the event to benefit Tennessee-based St. Jude.

Last year, Newport Coast raised the second-highest amount — $23,218 — among more than 7,000 St. Jude Trike-A-Thons across the country.

“The older kids understand that they’re doing something important to help St. Jude, and all the kids love to bring their scooters and bikes from home to do this,” said the preschool’s director, Jessica Stanley.

The goal this year was to raise $25,000. The total wasn’t determined as of Friday morning.

“I’m so proud of where we’ve come since the first year,” Stanley said. “We’ve really picked up speed.”

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