Dyslexia school pupil completes charity cycle challenge ahead of schedule

A former pupil of a specialist dyslexia school in Staffordshire completed his incredible London to Morocco cycle challenge a day early.

Jack Gayton along with his friend Charlie, cycled from London to Morocco in aid of two mental health charities, Ewen’s Room and Papyrus in just under three weeks.

Jack spoke about his journey and the experiences encountered along the way, which helped raise thousands of pounds for charity.

He said: “During the first week, we covered extensive distances, averaging 125 miles per day. However, due to a heat wave in Spain, we had to adjust our daily mileage to keep ourselves safe and healthy.

“My favourite day would be completing a 154-mile ride and cycling down the Pyrenees.. But overall, I loved the spirit of adventure throughout and having a laugh with Charlie, my cycling companion. The worst day however was one day in Spain when I got food poisoning, during a heat wave, and the temperature peaked at 36 degrees,” he said.

Despite this setback, their determination remained the same for the charities they were cycling for.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how well my body adapted to the demanding physical challenge. Although experiencing slight shoulder pains, we overcame the numerous hills and mountains encountered along the route. Interestingly, most of the pain only surfaced when we got home,” he added.

“Morocco’s culture was very different, and the people were kind and friendly. However, Northern Spain was the most beautiful. We met so many great people along the way; because we had cycling jerseys with London to Morocco; on the back, many people came up to us for a chat and to hear about our challenge,” said Jack.

The incredible feat was not only a personal triumph for Jack but also a meaningful endeavour to raise funds for their chosen charities. Currently, their JustGiving page stands at an impressive £7,000, with an additional £1,000 in cash donations, bringing the total amount raised to approximately £8,000.

When asked about future endeavours, Jack said he would be embarking on similar adventures.

Although specific plans are yet to be finalised, the pair are considering different possibilities and will check holiday times before they embark on their next extraordinary journey.

Maple Hayes Headteacher Dr Daryl Brown said: “We are immensely proud of Jack’s remarkable achievement, unwavering determination, and commitment to making a positive impact. We congratulate them on their success and eagerly await the next chapter of their inspiring adventures.”