Staff and pupils at a High Wycombe school pedalled 500 miles at the Eden Shopping Centre on Sunday to raise money for new sports facilities.

A total of £800 was raised for Wycombe High School’s Pedal 4 a Pitch fundraiser which saw the equivalent distance to High Wycombe’s twin town in Kelkheim, Germany, pedalled on static bikes donated by Anytime Fitness.

The fundraiser forms part of the school’s Play Your Part for Sport campaign, which was launched in 2015 to raise money for a new all-weather pitch - including two pitches, a pavilion, floodlights, dug outs, car parking and fencing.

The cost of the first pitch is £600,000 and so far £295,000 has already been raised towards the new facilities.

Staff, students and parents were sponsored to take part in the mammoth mission and signed up to 15 minute slots, cycling continuously from 10am to 5pm.

Spokesman for the Marlow Road school, Dana Morgan, said: “High Wycombe residents and Eden customers supported us very generously and welcomed the pitch development to the local area.

“It was a great event to showcase the amazing all-weather facility proposed for Wycombe High School and the wider community.

“Sponsorship money and donations have totalled over £800 so far and we are still counting. Thank you to each and every one of you for your support.”

Head teacher, Sharon Cromie, added: “The new artificial all-weather pitch facility, will not only benefit current and future generations, but it will be an invaluable addition for the local community, providing a much needed venue for sporting fixtures, clubs, camps and coaching courses.”

For more information on how you can support the campaign visit http://www.whs.bucks.sch.uk/about-whs/development/play-your-part-for-sport and /