At a recent assembly at Garstang Community Academy, a group of twelve proud Year 11 students presented two cheques of £1,878.96 each to worthy causes.
Representatives for the 2 charities, Mr James Mullin from the locally based ADAM Appeal and Petula Taylor for the Alzheimer’s Society, took the opportunity to express their thanks for the blood, sweat (but no tears) that the students had gone through to raise such an impressive amount.
Presentation of £3,757.91 to the ADAM Appeal & the Alzheimer’s Society on 29th April 2016
The students had ridden the long distance cycle path that took them from Southport in Lancashire on the Irish Sea to Hornsea in Yorkshire, a trip that not only took them over the Pennines but also along the Mersey and Manchester Ship Canal, the rivers Don, Dean and eventually the Humber, before coming to an end at the North Sea – 221 miles later!
The students showed impressive stamina and commitment to the cause, riding for almost 12 hours and 72 miles on Day 2 to get from Liverpool to the base of the Pennines, a distance that would leave many adult riders with red faces! They also deserve an enormous amount of credit for raising almost £4,000 for their chosen charities.
Looking back on the ride Jess, who was following in her sister’s footsteps, who had done the same ride 2 year’s previously said “the ride was one of my hardest but enjoyable times. Once you had completed it, you were met with an over-powering sense of pride”. But the final words should go to the young man who persuaded the group to support the Alzheimer’s Society. “It was a great ride for a great cause that means a lot to me. We had great support from all who did it” Jacob – whose father tragically died at the start of the year from early onset Alzheimers.
Congratulations to all the students who took part – Guy Jones, Alex Broderick, Jess hart, Robert Heath, Jacob Lee, Kim Brownrigg, Jake Cross, Louise Busby, Thea Hesketh, jack Woodburn, Lewis Ormerod and Oliver Salisbury.
The history of these charity challenges goes back to 1998, when a number of students did the first 1,000 mile Lands End to John O’Groats ride. This was followed by further cycling challenges including the Three Peaks (Snowden, Scafell and Ben Nevis). When questions were raised about long distance rides as a result of increased public concern over Health and Safety issues, students were led on Three Peaks walks. Riding was resumed with the creation and completion of a long distance cycle path along the South Downs Way in 2011, to be followed by the C2C of the Trans-Pennine Trail in 2013 and 2015. Staff riders lay claim to being the first school in the country, to complete both of these routes.
Thousands of pounds have been raised over the years for a variety of good causes from Cancer Care to the Air Ambulance, and this years ADAM appeal seems especially appropriate to support as one of the first LEJOGers (Lands End to John O’Groat), tragically died in his early twenties from cardiac related complications. He and his friends had been planning on doing the ride he had so loved and enjoyed, again – and his friends did it in his memory, proving that the lessons and experiences learned and enjoyed at school are shared and stay with us for life!