Swindon schools get active as part of the National Sporting Challenge

This week, Swindon pupils and staff are promoting the power of sport and raising money for Sport Relief as part of RideABC.

RideABC is a biking challenge taking place across national schools group United Learning, which will see two educationalists travel almost the length of country to raise money for Sport Relief. Setting off today, across 600 miles and eight days, United Learning’s Head of Sport Shaun Dowling and Educational Technologist Bruce Wilson will be visiting 25 schools – including Swindon Academy and Nova Hreod Academy.

On 7 March cyclists Shaun and Bruce will reach Swindon Academy, stopping at both the Alton Close and Beech Avenue locations. There they will be welcomed by students and staff from its primary and secondary phases, rounding off day three of the journey. The cyclists will then take off from Nova Hreod Academy on 8 March to continue their path north.

As well as cheering them on, pupils and staff at the schools will be doing their part to get active and raise money with a whole host of activities. Led by former Olympic gold medallist and athletics star Jason Gardener MBE, students will be undertaking a series of sporting challenges to help them reach their fundraising targets. Swindon Academy Sixth Formers will also be participating in an ambitious 24 hour sponsored cycle challenge on 6 March.

At Nova Hreod Academy, on 8 March, students will be undertaking their own Sport Relief mile challenges alongside Shelley Rudman, who won a silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in skeleton. Students are encouraged to dress as a sporting star and there will be prizes for the best dressed competitor and for the fastest mile. However, everyone is encouraged to join in and complete the mile distance whether by running, jogging or walking.

Ruth Robinson, Executive Principal at Swindon Academy and Nova Hreod Academy, said: “Everyone at both schools is looking forward to welcoming Shaun and Bruce and doing our part to promote the value of sport and physical endurance for RideABC. Pupils right across our schools – from our Primary to Sixth Form – will have the chance to get involved and raise valuable funds for Sport Relief and SITUPS.”

Shaun Dowling, Head of Sport for United Learning and RideABC cyclist said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with Sport Relief this year for RideABC. We have already been overwhelmed by the support United Learning schools have given this project and are thrilled that so many of our students will have the opportunity to be involved in some exciting physical challenge activities, whilst raising money for two brilliant charities."

Donations to United Learning’s RideABC can be made here, with funds split 75/25 between Sport Relief and the Group’s SITUPS programme, which uses the power of sport to drive improvement.