THREE dads have completed a gruelling five day cycling challenge to raise funds for a village school.

Tim Mitchell, 64, Tim Wigram, 50 and Tony Degennaro, 64, cycled around Devon and raised more than £1,100 for Abbotkserswell Primary School.

The trio were greeted on their return to the school by children who scooted or cycled down the road.

The dads route was predominantly National Cycle network but included some particularly steep hills along the way.

Tim Mitchell, whose daughter Ria is a pupil, explained: ‘We picked the worst hills on the route, we love the pain, but we are all experience cyclists.

‘I average about 60 to 80 miles a week.

‘The return to school was just fabulous, and to see the children join us was superb.

‘We are so lucky to have such a brilliant school which is beyond comparison.’

Tim has previously raised £14,000 for the school when in 2019 he cycled from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

This route was 340 miles but involved several difficult climbs, particularly between Ilfracombe and Tiverton which took them to 10,500 ft.

Their trip co-incided with the school’s Bikeability training for Year 5 and 6 children which involved safe cycling and the importance of wearing helmets and being visible.

Headteacher Kevin Martin congratulated the trio.

He said: ‘A huge congratulations to Tim, Tim and Tony for a huge achievement and raising money for our school.

‘Thank you to the staff, PTFA and the army of traffic wardens who helped keep all of our children safe and the parents who came along to support.

‘It was a great community event.’

The money raised will go to the school’s PTFA which provides additional resources.

Government-funded Bikeability training will continue at the school in September.