By Freya Gascoigne
A team of 49 from Sheen Mount Primary School cycled over 177 miles to Paris last week to raise money for Momentum Children’s Charity and outdoor facilities for the school.
Teaching staff and parents made up the cycling team who set off from the school grounds on Friday 23 June, returning two days later on Sunday 25 June.
Momentum was nominated by Jon Beill, the dad of two pupils Zach and Harrison, whose family received support from the charity in 2020 when Harrison was diagnosed with Leukaemia.
Jon said: “When Harrison was diagnosed with Leukaemia three years ago, we really were hit for six as a family, and Momentum where brilliant at helping us through what was a very difficult time.
“Fortunately, Harrison is on the road to recovery so I have now started to look at ways I can do my bit to raise much needed funds so other families can also benefit from their services. I was so pleased when the school agreed to support Momentum with our ride to Paris.
“The send-off we had was fantastic – all the pupils from the school lined up to wave us off! The team were brilliant, showing resilience in not only covering a huge distance on the bikes, but doing it in the middle of a heatwave too.
“Most importantly, we have raised a fantastic sum of money for Momentum Children’s Charity and to fund much-needed improvements at the school.”
50 volunteers from Sheen Mount Primary School Parent Staff Association have set off on a 270km cycle ride from London to Paris! They are fundraising for @MomentumCharity and their school to improve the outdoor facilities for pupils. Please donate here: https://t.co/4swTh7qnHv pic.twitter.com/rRYRhv7yAz
— Momentum Children's Charity (@MomentumCharity) June 24, 2023
The challenge has raised over £42,000 for Momentum and the school, and donations are still flooding in. Momentum Children’s Charity supports families across London, Surrey and Sussex whose children are facing life challenging conditions.
The charity partners with local hospitals to offer tailored support to the entire family through support workers, both in hospital and at home.
Bianca Effemey, Founder and CEO of Momentum, said: “Congratulations to everyone who was involved in the Sheen Mount Ride to Paris, we are incredibly grateful that you chose Momentum to be a beneficiary of some of the funds.
“A huge amount of work goes into organising an event of this scale, so thank you to everyone involved. It is fantastic to see the progress Harrison has made since his cancer diagnosis a few years ago – what a special boy he is.
“Events like this bike ride are so important to us as our charity survives purely on voluntary donations, and money raised will help us to continue being there for local families like the Beill’s.”
There is still time to sponsor the Sheen Mount Ride to Paris team: Sheen Mount Ride to Paris 2023 – JustGiving
To find out more about the work of Momentum Children’s Charity, please visit www.momentumcharity.org
