DUBAI // Students and staff pedalled more than 6,000 kilometres over five days to replicate the distance from Dubai to Johannesburg as part of efforts to help four pupils undertake environmental research in South Africa this summer.
The keen cyclists, numbering about 750, pedalled 6,600km on exercise bikes placed in the foyer of the Dubai British School. The challenge began last Sunday and ended on Thursday with enthusiastic participants sometimes staying on until 9pm to help reach the target.
The “Cycle to South Africa”’ challenge is part of fund-raising efforts to support the students and a teacher undertake research projects at Kruger National Park and Sodwana Bay.
“It was tough because after the second day we were off track and didn’t think we would be able to make the distance,” said Cameron Murray, 18, one of the team of four students. “It was really good to receive this backing from the whole school and it has definitely made the school more aware about our project. It shows how everyone is happy to contribute to do their bit.”
The group will be part of a scientific study at Kruger to collect data and estimate the number of elephants in the area and research techniques required to sustain the wildlife. The students will also scuba dive to monitor and study the reef as part of the Indian Ocean Reef Ecology Programme.
“We are so proud we achieved this and it created a real community feel,” said David Wright, a humanities teacher who will accompany the students.
“It was an exciting week. We’re still looking for sponsors for the expedition but there has been a lot of awareness generated. The highest we cycled in a day was 2,000km on Thursday.”
The challenge included teachers taking on students in races and motivated some to cycle more than 100km over one day, with the fastest time clocked by a student who completed 45km in an hour.
The cycle challenge was one of the main fund-raising events where students, teachers and parents paid Dh5 for each slot on a bike. An environmental drive next month will involve shredding paper and newspapers to build awareness about recycling.
rtalwar@thenational.ae
