Schoolboys put their pedal to the metal for new playground equipment

Pupils and staff from Nigel Bowes Academy took part in a fundraising triathlon at The Village Hotel in Bournemouth.

Schoolboys and staff from Nigel Bowes Academy took part in a fundraising triathlon at The Village Hotel in Bournemouth.

Schoolboys with emotional and social difficulties cycled, rowed and swam 30 miles to raise money to buy new playground equipment.

The boys from Tregonwell Academy’s Nigel Bowes campus staged a ‘triathlon’ to fund additional sports equipment for their school in Ensbury Avenue, Bournemouth.

A team of 10 boys took turns to pedal an exercise bike, row on a rowing machine and swim lengths of a pool.

They were supported in their ‘triathlon’ by the Village Urban Resort in Deansleigh Road, Bournemouth, which hosted the event and also donated a free night’s stay for the raffle.

The Nigel Bowes campus teaches primary school age children who have often complex needs, including autistic spectrum disorders.

Associate principal James Franzen said: “We can’t thank the Village Hotel enough for hosting our event.

“Our School Council (the pupils themselves) decided that they would like regular access to outdoor gym equipment in the school grounds and wanted to get involved with the fundraising,

“The pupils did such a brilliant job, swimming rowing and cycling over 30 miles in just two hours.”

He continued: “Village Hotel customers donated £50 during the triathlon and we are very grateful to them for their support. In addition, we are now in the process of applying for grants from local charitable trusts to help our fundraising on its way.

“We are also hoping local businesses will support us, perhaps by making us the benefactor of any special Christmas events they hold, or even choosing us as their charity of the year in 2017.”

Nigel Bowes Campus is part of the outstanding Tregonwell Academy which is operated by Ambitions Academies Trust (AAT).

Tregonwell Academy also consists of the Petersfield Campus (secondary age pupils) and Throop Learning Centre (TLC).

Businesses or individuals wishing to help Nigel Bowes’ fundraising are asked to email Jayne Adamson on: Jayne.Adamson@Tregonwell.co.uk

Media information, please contact Debbie Granville, Deep South Media, tel: 01202 534487 or email: debbie.granville@deepsouthmedia.co.uk

www.ambitions-academies.co.uk

AAT has developed a reputation for transforming under performing schools.  Tregonwell Academy,  Queen’s Park Academy in Bournemouth and Longspee special school in Poole all been rated as ‘Outstanding’ by government inspectors since joining the Trust.

St Aldhelm’s Academy joined the Trust in special measures and is now rated Good.