Priory School, in Bury St Edmunds, to be joined by West Suffolk College staff for 100-mile cycle challenge for Suffolk Mind

A group of staff and students from Bury St Edmunds are set to cycle 100 miles to raise money for mental health charity Suffolk Mind.

The group are made up of 14 people from Priory School and two sports lecturers from West Suffolk College. Both the school and college are part of Eastern Education Group.

This is the 29th year the special school has been involved in this activity and this year’s route will see the group start at the school’s site in Mount Road on Thursday, July 3.

The team will then travel to Darsham, near Saxmundham, before returning home to Bury a day later.

Priory School teacher Tom Parkington, who has organised this year’s effort, said: “It’s a big operation. At the end, a large group lines up back at the school and claps everyone in. It gives everyone a great sense of achievement and the parents look so proud.

“In terms of raising money, we have chosen Suffolk Mind as cycling is great for your mental health and it is a charity that most people can associate with. Students will be raising money themselves and we have also set up a JustGiving page. Last year we raised £3,000 – and we hope to top that.

“Exercise, collaboration and teamwork are so important and long term we really want to grow this event.”

Chris Steele, group head of sport for West Suffolk College and Eastern Education Group, said: “This is the 100th anniversary of West Suffolk College therefore it was fitting that we joined this inspirational 100-mile cycle ride.

“We have collaborated with Tom and the school a number of times already via the creation of a football tournament and a park run – so we want to keep this link going and it’s a real pleasure to support this charity effort.

“Potentially we want to get even more involved in this event next year by giving students and more staff from the college a chance to participate.”

Mason, 15, from Woolpit, is taking part in the cycle ride. He said: “I agreed to get involved in the cycle ride to help me get fit and healthy. It’s a big challenge but I’m confident I can do it. It’s important to help charity and it feels good to help the local community.”

Some of the money raised will go back into school coffers so that the cycle ride is funded next year. Two members from West Suffolk Wheelers are also set to join this year’s adventure.

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