As has been widely reported in the media our school is receiving a new building next August. Our old building is no longer fit for purpose and is falling down around us. This of course is wonderful news and the staff and children are thrilled. However, as with most things, there is a slight downside to all of this, there is no money available for new furniture. We are in a position where we will have to take our old and battered furniture with us in to the new building. Much of this is also not fit for purpose and may not even survive the journey to the new building. Our Head Teacher, Mrs Rosie Sycamore has launched a fund raising campaign to try to alter this situation. The target is set for £100, 000 and many of our staff and students have completed wonderful feats to help towards this target.
One such feat was completed by Mr Graham Sunners, our PE teacher. He set himself the enormous task of cycling from London, Buckingham Palace to Highfurlong to raise a considerable sum towards our target. I should add that Graham keeps himself incredibly fit by going to the gym, playing golf, cycling and he was once an Olympic runner. Around school he is always running, he never stands still and is the most energetic PE teacher we have ever had. Even for Graham this was still a considerable undertaking.
He set off on from school on Sunday at midday with his bike in the back of the school mini bus. He was supported by Mr Neil Tinkler who is our Site Supervisor. Neil had volunteered to drive the bus back and keep a check on Graham along the way. Graham and Neil arrived in Dunstable, 30 miles outside of London and checked in to their hotel. ‘The Highway Man’ kindly gave them free meals as their contribution to the charity cycle. On Sunday night Graham cycled in to the centre of London to take photos outside Buckingham Palace to show the starting point.
On Monday morning Graham set off on his bike at 8. 00 am. The temperature was soaring which made the ride even tougher. Graham and Neil were wearing T Shirts which proudly said ‘London to Blackpool Sponsored bike ride. Text High 02 to 70070’. This of course gave our school much publicity along the way.
On the first day Graham covered 110 miles. Absolutely fantastic in temperatures of over 80 degrees. Seven hours sweltering on a cycle really shows true grit and determination.
The stop over for the night was in Derby at ‘King’s Highway’. This hotel very kindly gave reduced prices and threw in breakfast and evening meal. Thank you to them. Also in Derby they were stopped by a man who saw the T Shirts and recognised the school name as he was from Cleveleys. He listened to the cause and then donated £10. Thank you Steve from Cleveleys!
On day 2 Graham set off at 7 30. He reported that this was the worst part of the whole journey. Again the sun was beating down and in Graham’s words ‘the hills were horrible around Stoke’. Their plan was to stop in Swinton for lunch but everywhere was closed. He travelled along the A6 to Over Houlton and stopped for a quick bite to eat. Graham and Neil then parted and missed each other at the next check in point along the route. There was some confusion as Neil held back with the bus to check that Graham was fine while Graham carried on cycling oblivious to the fact that Neil had no idea where he was. Eventually Neil texted him and found that Graham was in Kirkham while Neil was waiting for him in Chorley!
Back at school a sizeable group of staff stayed behind to welcome the pair back. We tied a yellow ribbon around the entrance to the gates and a huge cheer went up as he cycled in. He arrived back at 4 50 PM and from looking at him no one would believe he had cycled 250 miles in 2 days. Well done Mr Sunners! We are very very proud of you.
Thank you to everyone who has sponsored Graham on this impressive trip. If you would like to donate you can do so by sending money in to the school.
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