FOUR schools in Bournemouth and Poole teamed up for the national 600-mile bike challenge RideABC.

RideABC saw two central office staff members from national academy chain United Learning cycle from Kent to Cumbria, taking in 25 of the group’s schools over the epic journey.

United Learning’s Head of Sport Shaun Dowling and Educational Technologist Bruce Wilson put months of training to the test in aid of Sport Relief.

As part of RideABC, United Learning schools along the route hosted their own supporting events to raise money and celebrate the importance of sport.

On day two of the ride, the cyclists reached Bournemouth Collegiate School. To mark this, students from the school along with those from the Glenmoor and Winton Academies, undertook their own charity run along the promenade.

Shaun and Bruce were then joined by BCS Headmaster Russell Slatford in the next leg of their journey to Carter Community School in Poole. There, Carter PE teacher Greg Etheridge took to his bike to join them on this portion of the trip, following on all the way to Swindon Academy. To support the cyclists, Carter students have also been participating in their own fundraising activities, with the aim of matching the 600 miles of RideABC in the form of distance events. By cycling, walking, running, scooting and dribbling a football they will be making up the cumulative mileage. Bournemouth Collegiate pupils have also been doing a similar challenge with activities including swimming, rowing and running.

Russell Slatford, Headmaster at Bournemouth Collegiate School, said: “I had been really looking forward to riding with Shaun and Bruce to raise money for Sport Relief. My part in the fundraising and cycling was relatively small compared to theirs but riding over 100km in a day was challenging enough. Please support this fundraising venture and help raise money for Sport Relief.”

Carter Community School’s PE Lead, Christi Elliot, added: “It is great that Carter Community School students are joining with Glenmoor and Winton and Bournemouth Collegiate in support of United Learning’s Ride ABC initiative, showing what can be achieved as a group of schools. Our students had a fantastic morning of distance events and can take pride in the money they have raised.”