A LOCAL PTA got dozens of shoppers in a spin on Friday, July 1, as part of a fundraiser for a Newton Abbot special school.

Friends of Glendinning has launched the challenge to cycle 800 miles, a distance further than the mountain stages of the Tour de France, in a bid to raise money towards new outdoor sensory equipment at Glendinning Academy, a special school in the Buckland area of Newton Abbot for autistic children and those with other social communication and interaction needs.

Dubbed the ‘Tour de Glendinning’, the group is trying to raise £10,000 through a series of cycling related initiatives.

Using a high-tech exercise bike in Newton Abbot town centre passersby were encouraged to get cycling – with dozens jumping on the bike and pedalling nearly 90 miles over 5 hours.

Newton Abbot resident Ray Vine was first on the bike at 8am, and cycled for an hour before returning at 2pm for a second stint.

Newton Abbot Market Manager, Mike Walsh, and his team also got involved and rode a stint during their lunchbreak.

Katie Sanders, a trustee of Friends of Glendinning, said: ‘We had so many people wanting to take a turn on the bike, with people like Ray finding themselves pedalling miles even though they’d only come to town to do some shopping!

‘Big thanks to Venning Ride for loaning us the bike and to The Oxygen Agency that has created a secure way to manage donations so that 100% of the money raised goes towards our cause.

‘Over the coming days we’ll be getting the students to contribute their miles through rides, scoots and runs at school, and hope to build on the £500 already generously donated by the public and local businesses – even the smallest donation will make a big difference.’