200-mile ride from Castle to Tower

A SHAW headteacher who embarked on a 200-mile cycle ride to Paris has raised more than £3,000 for an outdoor learning area at his school.

Forty-two year old Jon Hewitt, the headteacher at Castle School, a specialist school for children with learning difficulties, set off on April 11 with friends David Martin, aged 44, Pete Thornton, aged 41, and John Moore, aged 48, all from Swindon.

The mayor of Newbury, Arthur Johnson was at the start line to see them off on their three-day journey, and he was joined by crowds of school children, parents and friends.

Mr Hewitt said: “The ride went remarkably well, I would even say it was enjoyable.

“The third day was the hardest as our legs were getting tired and the hills to the west of Paris seem to be constantly going up and down.

“When we first saw the Eiffel Tower it was quite emotional. The realisation of achieving the goal was immense and really pushed us on. “We had to use every ounce of energy to ride the final 10 miles.”

The money riased will go towards the £25,000 needed for the outdoor classroom.

The space will be used for curriculum subjects, such as mathematics and music, as well as teaching children about nature and the outdoors, and must be wheelchair accessible.

“At present we have raised almost £3,200, which is very nice, but short of what we need to create the woodland area for our young people with learning difficulties and disabilities,” Mr Hewitt added.

“However, the money we have raised means that we can embark on the planning and initial works to the outdoor learning centre.”

Donations can still be made at www.justgiving.com/jon-hewitt