Cyclist mum raises money for local school

Released 01/07/2010

Chessington mum attempts cycle ride to raise funds for sun protection equipment for local school

A concerned mum from Chessington is getting on her bike to cycle from Edinburgh to Chessington to raise awareness of the fight against childhood exposure to UV and highlight the lack of shading in school playgrounds to protect children during outdoor learning and play.

Heidi Sedgeman will be raising funds for her local school, St Mary's C of E Primary in Chessington, to equip them with adequate sun protection, in the form of high quality shade sails, to protect pupils when outside.

She will be accompanied on the ride by friend Chris Taliadoros and they will be travelling a distance of almost 500 miles, between 9th and 16th July 2010.

Heidi said: "Following the loss of my first husband to skin cancer, my drive is to prevent as many young children as possible developing skin cancer in years to come."

St Mary's headteacher, Linda Rainbow, said: "What Heidi is doing is fantastic. As two of her children are pupils at St. Mary's, we are in the lucky position of directly benefiting from the funds she raises but, so much more than that, I hope her bike ride raises awareness so that all schools are able to provide appropriate shading for children and reduce their exposure to harmful UV rays."

Heidi's ride is being sponsored by leading provider of high quality UV protection and shelter for outdoor environments, Keep It Kool who are also donating a shade sail to St. Mary's.

Tony Woodfield, managing director of Keep It Kool, said: "Only high quality UV shading allows children freedom of movement in an outdoor environment. Ordinary shades, awnings and blinds cut down visible light, but most don't even have a UV rating."

To support Heidi visit her Just Giving page

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