Luton schoolteachers cycling to Edinburgh and back for cancer charity
They will cycle 980 miles in 3 days
Today, six cyclists made up of teachers and community members will cycle from Luton to Edinburgh then back to Luton for a Cancer charity.
The teachers and community members from St Matthew’s Primary School in Luton plus six support crew aim to cycle more than 980 miles in 80 hours over 3.5 days in a cycle relay.
They will cycle to the three mainland UK capital cities to raise funds for Young Lives vs Cancer charity who help children, young people and their families dealing with cancer
The route:
The Mayor of Luton, Cllr Sameera Saleem, started the challenge at 10am from St Matthew’s Primary School, Wenlock Street, Luton.
The cyclists will cycle to London before heading west to Cardiff, then north to Edinburgh and back down south again to finish back where they started at the school on Sunday 23 October. They are cycling in pairs and will complete approximately 330 miles each.
The teachers want to be "active role models" to students
Daniel Chaplen, Sports Development Manager, St Matthew’s Primary School and one of the event organisers said: "Were trying to show our pupils that they've got active role models within the school who are pushing themselves" as well as giving the students "an understanding of giving back to the community".
“We wanted to find a challenge that had the wow factor, and to really show our pupils and community that they too can achieve their own goals if they are willing to put the work in.
Chloe Stout is the only female cyclist taking part, she tells us "Women can be cyclists too. There are lots of barriers that have been broken...it's really important to be a female representative in this group of fantastic people".
They have raised over £6,000 so far for Young Lives vs Cancer
Daniel Chaplen, from St Matthew’s Primary School tells us they set an "ambitious target" and they appreciate all the support they receive especially during such a difficult time with the cost-of-living crisis.
Chaplen tells us they chose YoungLives vs Cancer charity because "they've supported people within the community and that is why we want to give back"
“It was important to us that the children were fully involved in this event, from fundraising through to the music we will listen to on the route. Our pupils and community will be following us virtually and will be there at the finish line on Sunday 23 October when we return to school.”
The community will be taking on their own challenges over the event week with fun runs, bike to schools days and community walks all planned to support their fundraising efforts for Young Lives v Cancer, a charity who have supported members of their own school community.
For more information, you can visit the schools Justgiving page.