Rather than kicking back and relaxing after completing their demanding IB exams, four pupils from King Edward’s Witley chose to embark on a gruelling ten-day European cycling challenge, to raise funds for charity.
Inspired by fellow pupil Ed Kernick’s epic Bridewell Bike Ride* in March 2016, the four Upper Sixth Form pupils dreamt up their own Bridewell Euro Bike Challenge, this time applying pedal power to travel the 750 miles from France and back to Witley, in aid of Changing Lives, the Bridewell Foundation bursaries programme.
Charlie Howard from Horsley and Will Kriehn from Haslemere, were joined by fellow pupils Chris Mistlin and Gabriele Magnaghi on 28 May to begin their super-charged bike ride. The four rode from King Edward’s to Dover, across the English Channel to Paris and beyond before travelling back to Portsmouth via Cherbourg, arriving back at the School on 6 June, slightly ahead of schedule.
The young men wanted to set themselves a physical as well as mental challenge, which also afforded the opportunity to raise funds for the Foundation that continues to benefit pupils at King Edward’s.
To date the pupils have generated an amazing £6,000 through donations using BT MyDonate, further donations can be made by visiting http://bit.ly/eurobikeride. In August, Will Kriehn and Charlie Howard will participate in their next Bridewell Foundation activity, the second King Edward’s telephone fundraising campaign.
Both events form part of the School’s 150 Year Anniversary Appeal to raise £150,000 for the Foundation.
Commenting on their successful endeavour after spending ten days in the saddle, the pupils said, “It was an experience like no other, you learn things about yourself and about your friends. I learnt that you can push yourself further than you ever thought you could and at the same time make memories I’ll cherish for a lifetime.
“It puts into perspective how lucky we are to live and go to school where we do.”