The sixth St Anne's Bike Ride is taking place this weekend, and sees 21 current and former parents and governors riding 185 miles from Wilmslow to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire to raise money for the school's PTA.
The ride this year includes the most challenging stage of all the bike rides yet; 77 miles of climbing, ascending the equivalent of one and a half times up Snowdon along the way. The weather forecast is bleak so riders have made sure waterproofs have been packed.
Everyone taking part meets all the costs of the ride themselves, including accommodation, food and the support van, which is driven by another volunteer parent and carries spare parts, bags and snacks throughout the ride. In previous years the ride has raised between £6,000 and £8,000 for the PTA which uses its funds to support the school's educational provision, paying for a music teacher, coaches for trips, author visits, Global Week and Science Week activities among many things.
Parents and children gathered on the playground to wave the team off on Friday morning. Children made posters and banners to encourage the riders and cheered each group as they set off.
Headteacher Clare Daniel said "We are incredibly proud of our bike ride team for all their hard work, not only in preparing for the ride through rain and snow, but also the fundraising they have undertaken before they have even turned a wheel. Our target is £5,000 and we had already raised 80% of that before the bike ride had started, which is amazing.
"In the last couple of years we have focused our fundraising on building a library at the school and last summer we were able to realise our dream, thanks in no small part to the donations from the previous bike rides. We now have our beautiful 'egg box' which is in use every day as a library and teaching space.
"This year, we have targeted our fundraising efforts on resurfacing our lovely peace garden and surrounding play space."
Anyone who would like to support our bike ride can still donate online.
