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'Fantastic' neurodiverse students cycling 1,000 miles

Chloe Harcombe
BBC News, West of England
Ben Prater
BBC Radio Wiltshire
Mark Ball A group of teenagers standing with bicycles. They are all stood in a line, wearing helmets, biking gear and high vis vests. They are looking at the camera, smiling, and pointing to the side. The landscape of the Westbury White Horse can be seen in the distance behind them.Mark Ball
Teacher Mark Ball praised the students for their enthusiasm

A group of neurodiverse students are taking on a 1,000 mile (1,609km) cycle challenge from John O'Groats to Lands End.

The 12 students, aged between 14 and 16, are from Appleford School in Shrewton, Wiltshire. They live with dyslexia, ADHD, autism or other difficulties and want to complete the challenge to prove they can achieve "extraordinary things".

They will be leaving John O'Groats in Scotland on 19 June and aim to cycle between 70 (112km) and 80 miles (128km) a day back down to their final destination in Cornwall.

Mark Ball, the school's head of outdoor education, said: "I think something on this sort of scale will remain with these students for a long time, if not for life."

Mr Ball said many of the students faced "significant education struggles" before they began learning at Appleford.

However, he added many of them "thrive" outside, with some students having completed previous long distance physical challenges.

Mark Ball Four students riding bicycles along a road. None of them are looking at the camera, but at the bikes or ahead of them. They are all wearing helmets and biking gear. Mark Ball
The students are spending many of their weekends and evenings after school training for the challenge

Student Freya suggested the challenge to Mr Ball following a cycle from Devizes to Westminster.

She said she "loves" a challenge and was most looking forward to getting a suntan on the journey next month.

Jess, who is also taking part, said she had not cycled since she was a child.

"Since this has started, we go out as a school most weekends... I cycle to school now which is about 20 miles (32km)," she said.

"We're going to cycle, stop at a hostel and then carry on in the morning on repeat for 14 days," Jess added.

Mark Ball A group of teenagers and their teacher, Mark Ball. They are standing in a line with bicycles. They are all wearing biking gear and looking at the camera.Mark Ball
The group will begin their 1,000 mile (1,609km) journey on 19 June

Mr Ball credited the "fantastic" students for their hard work so far.

"Their enthusiasm and determination is second to none," he said.

"To be able to have the support of the school, to organise something like this and to give the students the opportunity, I'm very, very grateful for that."

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