Max and Thea, 9 year-old pupils at St Michael’s School, Aldbourne have raised over £3000 towards the school’s bid to create a new outdoor weather proof learning space.
Last weekend, August 15 and 16, the intrepid pair cycled 100 kms of the Ridgeway from Lewknor in The Chilterns to Avebury. They were accompanied by their dads with other family members providing back-up support and refreshments.
Max’s mum, Lucy, told Marlborough.news, “The children came up with the idea of cycling to raise money themselves. Lockdown has turned them into budding cyclists but before this challenge around 40 kms was the furthest they’d been.
They showed great determination to complete the fourteen hours of cycling and even camped out overnight. I’d like to say a huge thank you to the teaching staff at the school for their support – it made a real difference.”
St Michael’s has been running out of space for a while as pupil numbers have risen steadily over the past few years. This squeeze on space becomes an even more pressing issue in the current climate of social distancing and other Covid safe measures.
The school would like to purchase a solar-powered shed which would increase outdoor learning opportunities and enhance its Forest School environment.
Judith Arkwright, Headteacher at St Michael’s speaking to Newbury Weekly News, said, “I’m so proud of Max and Thea. They have shown such resilience, commitment and perseverance – qualities we talk about a lot in school.
Not only have they demonstrated our school value in abundance, ‘A lifetime love for learning’ but they have raised an amazing amount of money. I must also say a special thanks to their dads who pedalled alongside them and to their families for supporting them – St Michael’s are very proud.”
If you would like to support Thea and Max’s fund-raising efforts then click here
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