FITNESS fanatics from Arden Academy have raised £3,500 for the Stroke Association by completing a gruelling 100km bike ride.
The 19-strong team of teenagers and their teachers cycled from the Station Road school in Knowle and completed a loop crossing Warwickshire and Earlswood Lakes.
The pupils were inspired to fundraise for the Stroke Association after they were visited by the charity to teach them how to recognise the symptoms of a stroke and the importance of acting FAST.
The FAST Test identifies the three most common symptoms of a stroke and the right action to take.
Gurvinder Singh, mathematics teacher at the Arden Academy said: “The ride went really well. We left at 7am to try and miss the worst of the heat but when we were cycling fortunately we had the breeze to cool us down.
” All of the pupils completed the ride and they were really cheerful throughout. They did really well.
“The year 9 students at Arden were given the opportunity to train up for and ride 100km to raise money for a chosen charity.
“They chose to raise funds for The Stroke Association because of the amazing work they do to help stroke survivors rebuild their lives after having a stroke.
“Seven of the fourteen pupils have relatives who have had a stroke, so for them it was something very close to home.”
Katrin Winstanley from the Stroke Association, who taught the pupils about stroke awareness said: “We’re extremely grateful to the staff and students at Arden Academy for raising vital funds to help the Stroke Association support more stroke survivors re-gain their independence.”
