On Saturday 12th September, Warlingham Park School hosted the start of the British Heart Foundation London to Eastbourne bike ride.

Despite the rainy start to the day, nearly 500 cyclists registered for the 91.5km starting from the school gate and taking the riders off-road and cross-country via Warlingham, Godstone, Lingfield, Dormansland, Mayfield, Horam, Hailsham to finish at the Soverign Centre on the Royal Parade at Eastbourne.

BHF Foundation Bike Rides sponsored by Tesco are nationwide events for both on and off-road riding and are one of several initiatives that the charity arranges to help raise vital funds.  Other events include runs, walks and treks, overseas challenges and skydiving.  More information can be found on the BHF website – www.bhf.org.uk/events

Today’s event was very well organised with parking available on the school top field and registration and breakfast, water and toilet facilities available in the school’s Sexton Hall.  Medical and cycling maintenance vehicles parked in the main car park whilst the large playing field enabled cyclists to warm up in preparation for the charity ride.  Traffic was able to flow freely as riders left having been well briefed in small groups of 20 at the top end of the school. 

Warlingham Park School would very much like to thank Tacy Blest from the British Heart Foundation and her team of staff, medical crew and volunteers for the smooth running of the event.  The school looks forward to welcoming the charity back to the school in the future – www.warlinghamparkschool.com