Ashburton College head girl Poppy Kilworth (left) and deputy principal Jono Hay work the pedals during their 24-hour cycling challenge fundraiser. Photo Adam BurnsA 24-hour cycling fundraiser has generated more than $2500 for the local Salvation Army with the opportunity to donate still open.

Members of the Ashburton College student executive wanted to do a fundraiser post-lockdown to support a local organisation that had supported the community during the lockdown.

They opted to take on a 24-hour cycling challenge using spin bikes, spending half of the time at Countdown north in a hope to attract public attention.

“It went really, really well, it exceeded our expectations,” head girl Poppy Kilworth said.

“The public were really supportive and lots of people stopped by to see what we were doing.”

A Givealittle page was set up for the event, which will remain open till Friday, and collection containers were set up at Countdown during the event.

They also had a collection area for food donations, with people also showing their support that way by donating more than six banana boxes worth of items.

Fifteen students took part in the challenge, with a number of teachers and the public getting in on the fun.

Jonty Small managed the furthest distance out of the students, recording around 40km for his hour stint.

Rangitata MP Andrew Falloon rode along with the students for the final hour, notching up a respectable 35.5km.

In total, the students covered more than 550km.

Starting at 8pm at Kilworth’s house, they livestreamed the first four hours of the challenge on Instagram before providing regular updates through the early hours of Saturday morning.

“It was us four head students and two exec members that did the 1am to 7am stint,” Kilworth said.

“I think I only got about 20 minutes’ sleep in the 24 hours.”

Cold temperatures meant a stint to warm up on the bike was an inviting proposition, with temperatures early on Saturday morning at around -3°C.

“We just really want to thank everyone for their support, we want to thank the EA Networks Centre for donating the bikes, and everyone that stopped by and donated, and Countdown for letting us use their space,” deputy head boy Kyle Cabangun said.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 18 June 2020