With just over a week to go until the world’s biggest cycle race descends on the county, pupils at a Harrogate school have been taking to two wheels to compete in their very own Grand Depart – and have raised more than £1000 for charity.
Youngsters at Belmont Grosvenor School set themselves a challenge to scoot the first two Yorkshire stages of Le Tour De France in their 20-acres of grounds on the outskirts of Harrogate.
All the pupils at the independent prep school brought scooters and helmets into school for the week-long challenge and, during PE lessons, completed special Tour de France laps in the grounds with the aim of raising money for St Michael’s Hospice.
But by the end of Day 3, the youngsters had already completed the tricky Stage One and Stage Two sections around Yorkshire, and so on Thursday decided to head south on the Stage Three route with London in their sights!
And not content with scooting to London, the Belmont Grosvenor Tour de France children continued across the Channel and by the end of the week had completed the final Champs Elysee and Arc de Triomphe stage.
Gail Bland, Charities co-ordinator at the independent prep school based at Swarcliffe Hall, Birstwith, said the children had completed an incredible 682,600 metres and so far raised £1050 for Saint Michael’s Hospice.
Miss Bland said: Through the children’s pure determination they have managed, as one great big enthusiastic team, to not only do the original stage but all three of the Grand Depart British stages, and then go on doing the distance of the final stage in Paris.
All in one week and on scooters. I think there are some future champions in our midst. It has been a fantastic effort to raise money for such a wonderful cause,
