Latest news with #cyclechallenge
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
'As we laid a pennant by his headstone, we reflected on how thankful we should be'
Four men from Bolton on a cycle challenge have reflected on "how thankful we should be" for those who laid down their lives in the First World War. Colin Higham, Kevan Ball and Rob Taylor are in the middle of cycling 634 miles along the Western Front Way this month, with Russell Jones providing support. The trail follows the historic frontline of the First World War, from the French-Swiss border to the beaches of Belgium. The quartet reflected during a poignant moment, stood by the grave of Richard Nelson in the middle of rural France, hundreds of miles away from his home on Lee Lane, Horwich. They said: "We thought this challenge was one of the hardest things we would have ever done, but then we met an English lady in our hostel who was walking from Canterbury to Rome, which put our task into perspective. The lads at the grave of Richard Nelson (Image: Submitted) "Then we thought no matter how tough either challenge was, they pale in comparison to what those lads faced along this front in the First World War. "On Monday we all stood together in a graveyard in the middle of rural France next to the remains of a lad who lives in a butcher's shop at 201 Lee Lane, Horwich, a shop we have all walked past hundreds of times. Read more: Bolton schoolfriends' epic journey to pay tribute to those who died in the Great War Read more: 'Successful' charity music festival set to return to Bolton Read more: Free cat welfare clinic to take place at shopping centre "As we laid a Rivington and Blackrod School pennant by his headstone, we reflected on just how thankful we should be for the lives we now lead." The grave of Richard Nelson (Image: Submitted) The quartet are also raising money for three charities - the Royal British Legion, Children in Need and St Ann's Hospice. To donate, click here: As of Friday, June 16, they have completed 566 miles of the journey and have raised £2,455. For more information on the Western Front Way, visit the Western Front Association's website: The quartet, who will all turn 65 this year, met when they were schoolboys at Rivington and Blackrod School, and will visit the graves of 16 of the 24 young men from their old school who died during the war. Colin Higham was struck by the idea after reading The Path of Peace: Walking the Western Front Way by Anthony Seldon.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Fantastic' neurodiverse students cycling 1,000 miles
A group of neurodiverse students are taking on a 1,000 mile (1,609km) cycle challenge from John O'Groats to Lands End. The 12 students, aged between 14 and 16, are from Appleford School in Shrewton, Wiltshire. They live with dyslexia, ADHD, autism or other difficulties and want to complete the challenge to prove they can achieve "extraordinary things". They will be leaving John O'Groats in Scotland on 19 June and aim to cycle between 70 (112km) and 80 miles (128km) a day back down to their final destination in Cornwall. Mark Ball, the school's head of outdoor education, said: "I think something on this sort of scale will remain with these students for a long time, if not for life." More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire Mr Ball said many of the students faced "significant education struggles" before they began learning at Appleford. However, he added many of them "thrive" outside, with some students having completed previous long distance physical challenges. Student Freya suggested the challenge to Mr Ball following a cycle from Devizes to Westminster. She said she "loves" a challenge and was most looking forward to getting a suntan on the journey next month. Jess, who is also taking part, said she had not cycled since she was a child. "Since this has started, we go out as a school most weekends... I cycle to school now which is about 20 miles (32km)," she said. "We're going to cycle, stop at a hostel and then carry on in the morning on repeat for 14 days," Jess added. Mr Ball credited the "fantastic" students for their hard work so far. "Their enthusiasm and determination is second to none," he said. "To be able to have the support of the school, to organise something like this and to give the students the opportunity, I'm very, very grateful for that." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Cyclist who was unable to walk breaks world record Cyclist completes 'dream' ride across the world Family pick up cycling challenge after dad's death Appleford School
BBC News
24-05-2025
- BBC News
Wiltshire neurodiverse students on John O'Groats to Lands End cycle
A group of neurodiverse students are taking on a 1,000 mile (1,609km) cycle challenge from John O'Groats to Lands End. The 12 students, aged between 14 and 16, are from Appleford School in Shrewton, Wiltshire. They live with dyslexia, ADHD, autism or other difficulties and want to complete the challenge to prove they can achieve "extraordinary things".They will be leaving John O'Groats in Scotland on 19 June and aim to cycle between 70 (112km) and 80 miles (128km) a day back down to their final destination in Ball, the school's head of outdoor education, said: "I think something on this sort of scale will remain with these students for a long time, if not for life." Mr Ball said many of the students faced "significant education struggles" before they began learning at Appleford. However, he added many of them "thrive" outside, with some students having completed previous long distance physical challenges. Student Freya suggested the challenge to Mr Ball following a cycle from Devizes to Westminster. She said she "loves" a challenge and was most looking forward to getting a suntan on the journey next month. Jess, who is also taking part, said she had not cycled since she was a child. "Since this has started, we go out as a school most weekends... I cycle to school now which is about 20 miles (32km)," she said. "We're going to cycle, stop at a hostel and then carry on in the morning on repeat for 14 days," Jess added. Mr Ball credited the "fantastic" students for their hard work so far. "Their enthusiasm and determination is second to none," he said. "To be able to have the support of the school, to organise something like this and to give the students the opportunity, I'm very, very grateful for that."
