​Eight Year 5 pupils have taken part in a cycling challenge organised by Bike4Health. This involved a 6 week training programme to prepare the children for a challenging ride from Morpeth to Simonside, Rothbury.

Each week, the children were taught different cycling techniques such as gear changing, riding in pairs, uphill and downhill cycling, all with a view to getting them ready for the hills which were encountered on the route to Rothbury.

The weather was especially kind to us on our final ride day – hot and sunny (perhaps a little too hot!). Laden down with plenty of water supplies and food to keep us going, we set off at 9am somewhat apprehensive about the challenge ahead. However, we soon got into our stride and had an amazing day.

All of the children who took part in the final ride should be immensely proud of themselves. There were many hills to contend with, and on such a hot day, this was a real challenge. We finally made it to Simonside for a well-earned rest and lunch. The ride home seemed much easier and we cruised into the school drive just after 3.30pm, tired, happy and very proud.

Click here to see more images from the sessions.

Ellen should be congratulated individually for her decision to use this challenge to raise sponsorship for the Burns Unit at the RVI.

She raised an amazing £215 which she used to buy toys for the waiting room on the ward.  She came to this decision herself having spent many hours visiting her sister who was a patient there.

Ellen told me, “There were loads of games and jigsaws with pieces missing. I thought it would be a good idea to try to raise some money to replace them so that other children have fun things to do while they are in hospital.”