Leamington cyclists brave the heat to support Indian school

They were taking part in the seventh Buwan Kothi International Trust bike ride, which has so far raised more than £62,000 towards the ongoing work of the Gilly Mundy Memorial Community School in Haryana, which was set up by the late Gilly Mundy - a former Campion School pupil and son of Leamington town councillor Mota Singh - who died suddenly in 2007 at the age of 36.

Gilly’s brother Jas Mundy, who organises the circular bike ride - which starts and ends at the Pump Room Gardens in Leamington, said: “Every year there is something a bit different and this year we not only had a tandem, which I rode with my wife Sangita, but also a ‘triplet’ ridden by Bhupinder Mann, his partner Lisa Hayles and her daughter Lia.

“The route went through the lovely Warwickshire countryside. It was a very hot day, possibly the hottest so far, but we made sure the riders kept properly hydrated and had a welcome break at the half-way point.

“Our support team, as well as great many bottles of water, provided chocolate sandwiches, flapjack and the ever popular jelly babies, to keep everyone energised for the ride back to the bandstand in Leamington.”

He added: “People came this year from even further away than usual, with people from across the country as well as BKIT supporters from London. The oldest cyclist was 76-year-old Janet Alty and 11-year-old Lia on the triplet was the youngest. All these people have some connection with Gilly or are friends of his friends.”

Mr Mundy said he was expecting the total raised this year to exceed BKIT’s target of £5,000. Proceeds will go towards improvements at the school in India and creating educational links with Leamington schools. Anyone wishing to make a contribution and find out more about the organisation can do so online at www.buwankothi.org.uk