300 MILES IN 3 DAYS FOR UGANDA

Three Derby teenagers are set to embark on a challenging weekend of cycling to raise money for underprivileged schools in Uganda. They will ride to London and back from Ecclesbourne School in Duffield, covering 300 miles in 3 days and include a visit to the Ugandan High Commission in Trafalgar Square.

Riders Saskia Hook and Roy Middup are also part of the group travelling to Uganda later in the year and will be joined on the ride by Roy's brother Alan. The brothers from Little Eaton are regular riders and have organised the ride. Saskia from Allestree, is from a cyclo-cross background and started road racing last year, and was a member of the East Midlands team at the UK School Games.

The ride is one of several fund-raising activities for the Ugandan schools.  Ecclesbourne is teaming up with Woodlands School to visit Uganda in July. This follows similar successful visits in previous years. Whilst funding the cost of the visit themselves the pupils are currently busy raising money to be used to fund equipment for the Ugandan schools. On the last visit in 2009 over £20000 was raised and the students are hoping to surpass that figure this year.

The money raised will go directly to selected Secondary Schools and projects in Uganda. Previously they raised enough money to buy school equipment such as pens, paper, textbooks, science equipment and science chemicals; all of which are vital in order for the school to function properly. They also bought enough building materials to build an examination hall for Mirembe School and three classrooms, a store room and a staff room for Kiringo School..

The cycle ride starts from Ecclesbourne School on Friday 1 April returning on Sunday 3 April and the riders are seeking sponsors (so far the cycle ride has raised nearly £1000). The route has been developed to take in quiet roads and will be done without support vehicles. The organisers will also welcome other local cyclists who may wish to ride with the students on the early stages of the ride.

If you would like to sponsor them or find out more about the Uganda visit contact Rachel or Jackie at Ecclesbourne School on 01332 840645 or email info@ecclesbourne.derbyshire.sch.uk