HELP SUPPORT THE BLOOD, SWEAT AND GEARS CHALLENGE

IMG_9877

On Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday last weekend, a team of 24 pupils and staff from Sedbergh School, including Headmaster Andrew Fleck and Deputy Headmaster Dan Harrison, participated in the Blood Sweat and Gears cycle challenge. The team competed against a team from PWS Distributors based in York station and Baltic Training based in Newcastle station, businesses owned by Old Sedberghians Mark Stephenson and Freddie Peart. On static Wattbikes the teams cycled for 12 hours each day over four consecutive days, in an attempt to achieve the longest cumulative distance. 24 of our students volunteered to take part in the event to raise funds for Blood Sweat and Gears in support of Phoenix House, the Help for Heroes recovery centre in Catterick Garrison.

The Sedbergh team won the team challenge. They cycled 1000 miles in the 4 days and have raised just over £1600 for Help for Heroes so far. Any sponsorship from OSs would be greatly appreciated.

The principal Blood Sweat and Gears Event was a demanding 360 mile cycle ride across the Western Cape of South Africa that took place over 6 days at the end of April. The cycling team, led by OS Mark Stephenson, includes ex-world cup winning Rugby player Will Greenwood and two other Old Sedberghians, Freddie Peart and Oli Stephenson, who along with 4 injured veterans are hoping to raise £250,000 to help fund health and psychological wellbeing activities at Phoenix House. They cycled from Franshhoek, just outside Cape Town, to Kynsna along a mountainous route that involves 7 mountain passes and 22,000 feet of climbing. The entire event was underwritten by Mark Stephenson, which will ensure that every penny raised will go straight to the charity. Details on the event can be found on http://bloodsweatandgears.cc/news and any donations would be gratefully received via www.justgiving.com/Sedbergh-School