Two students from Taunton School, who completed a 989-mile cycle ride from John O’Groats to Lands End in the summer, have handed over the proceeds of their effort to charity. Jake Barker and Tom James raised more than £4,300 through donations from family, friends and other supporters of their marathon challenge. The money has been divided and donated to their two charities – the Teenage Cancer Trust and Beating Bowel Cancer.
The boys, both aged 15, averaged over 70 miles per day, the longest day was 90 miles and the penultimate day in Devon and Cornwall saw over 6,000 feet of climbing. They burned over 64,000 calories and used over 600,000 pedal strokes.
Tom and Jake said: “Both of these charities have a special meaning to us and we know that they desperately need every penny. Special thanks to the support crew and everyone who came to encourage us on our ride. Hopefully this will inspire more friends to join us in our future fundraising events.”
Taunton School’s headmaster, Dr John Newton, said: “This is such a huge achievement by Jake and Tom – I am so proud of them.”
