A PRIMARY school teaching assistant from Farnham has completed an epic 235-mile charity bike ride for her school.

William Cobbett Primary School teaching assistant Sue Lunt-Bone rode from her home town of Runcorn, Cheshire, to Farnham in just three days.

Sue cycled more than 70 miles per day, for three consecutive days, starting on May 28.

She took on the ‘big cycle’ challenge in aid of William Cobbett’s ‘Mini Pitch Campaign’.

The Weybourne-based primary school was one of seven schools selected nationally by the Football Association (FA) to take part in the campaign.

‘Mini pitches are purpose-built football pitches but are smaller sized. Players are said to touch the ball five times more often compared to normal sized matches.

The FA, The Premier League and The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport hope to provide new sports facilities for children before, during and after the school day. They aim to create a “healthy, active generation”.

Sue, who cycles “between 20 and 40 miles once or twice a week”, was accompanied by her husband on her 380km fundraising mission.

She said: “I am a keen sportsperson and during the 16 years I have spent working at the school, I have seen the pleasure that sport brings to children.

“I was very excited to hear about the Mini Pitch Campaign and believe that it will be of great value to the school as we currently don’t have a high-quality sports facility that could be used year round.”

The school started fundraising in February by hosting family sports days, sportswear mufti days and staff netball matches to raise money for the new football pitch.

William Cobbett Primary School is almost half way to its target of raising £20,000 towards the estimated cost of the new facility, said to be between £100,000 and £120,000.

The new mini pitch is planned to also benefit the wider community, with adult sports clubs using the facilities outside of school hours.

Julie Campbell, head teacher at William Cobbett Primary School, said: “We’re so proud of Sue and her huge achievement. She put her heart and soul into cycling 235 miles in three days, and in some pretty challenging conditions at times.

“As a higher level teaching assistant, she’s been a valuable part of our primary school for more than 16 years, and like many in our community, she’s been incredibly supportive of our Mini Pitches campaign. Congratulations Sue - and thank you!”