SIXTH form student Jamie Whitcher has set an exciting challenge for all students and staff at his school.

It is a race to see who can cycle/run/row from LeAF Studio school to Tokyo opening Olympics between 23 January - 23 July 2021.

Jamie is raising money for Amelia’s Rainbow - a Dorset Charity for seriously ill children and is aiming to cycle 9,961km by July 2021. Just two weeks in he was 1434km into his ride.

Dan Evans, Head of PE & Sports Specialism, said: "This is a fantastic achievement and we would love to celebrate this - and help him raise a few more pennies with the increased publicity.

"As a school we have set this challenge, as many young athletes are struggling with their mental health due to amateur sport being cancelled and the extended lockdown in these winter months, and are in desperate need of motivation to take part in physical activity to maintain their physical/mental/social health. "

The school arranged for GB U23 Rower Becky Wilde to speak to the students. She spoke about her own experiences with mental health and lack of motivation during lockdown, and gave her top tips to maintaining the drive required for high level sport.

Dan said: "We are trying to provide our young athletes with an opportunity to keep physically and mentally fit, along with supporting our students in their charitable acts.

"LeAF is a studio school which best prepares talented athletes and performing arts students for their dual careers in their respective industries and long term careers. For many of our students we have had sporting successes including Georgia Hall as our most high profile athlete (Golfer)."As a school we run weekly wellbeing questionnaires for our students, and we provide the opportunity for them to sign up to their own one-to-one wellbeing session catch ups with school support staff. We are running a series of wellbeing interventions and talks - one of which has been with Becky."

Jamie's challenge is Staff Vs Students vs Jamie Whitcher. Jamie is a Year 12 student studying BTEC Sport Extended Diploma and currently races for Cycleworks Racing/Cannibal Teams. He is embarking on the 9,961km race alone and is raising money for Amelia’s Rainbow https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/.../showROFundraiserPage...