School team takes on famous bike ride

The squad of five students and four members of staff from The Regis School in Bognor Regis completed this year’s London to Brighton cycle ride.

Employees Susan Gallant, Dion Hammond, Fiona Mortimer and Gaynor Harwood entered after they had enjoyed last year’s ride so much.

Their enthusiasm prompted students Oliver Langridge, 15, Chris Reed, 17, Ben Luxton, 15, Daniel Usher-Smith, 15, and Aaron White, 15, to join them taking on the 54-mile course.

They spent four months training hard.The effort paid off as they all beat the challenge of Ditchling Beacon, the 800ft ascent over the South Downs, before entering Brighton. Their exertions in their saddles raised £1,000 for the British Heart Foundation.

Dan said: “I am very proud of my achievement. I am happy that I completed it and I look forward to doing it again.”

Fellow student Oliver said: “Managing to cycle up Ditchling Beacon made me realise I can do things that seem impossible.”

The school’s principal, David Jones, said: “This was a challenging undertaking and demanded a great deal of preparation.”