Spinathon success

Derwen College Sports coordinators Sian Thomas and Steve Evans completed a phenomenal 24 hours on spin bikes, raising a staggering £12,700. The Spinathon raised funds for students and clients, including funds for new accessible sports changing facilities.

The determined duo were joined by supporters, students and staff embarking on their own personal challenges. Some students had never been on a spin bike before and were spinning for up to an hour, others completed far longer sessions. In all, 23 bikes were kept spinning through the day and night thanks to fundraising pledges, including three supporters who pedalled the full 24 hours.

Oswestry Mayor Jay Moore joined the challenge for the final push, even getting on a spin bike with his Mini Mayor son. The event was streamed live, with messages of support coming from across the UK all through the night.

Specialist school grows quickly

Aspecialist school in Shropshire which opened last September now has full classrooms. Bettws Lifehouse at Kingsland Grange has 73 students enrolled at two sites – one on the 12 acres of the former Shrewsbury High preparatory school and the other in Bettws Cedewain.

The independent special school is designed to meet the needs of children with a range of social and emotional needs, moderate learning difficulties or on the autistic spectrum, from the age of five up to 18 years old. The school, which provides a more specialist education than mainstream schools, delivered by skilled and experienced staff, has expanded more quickly than expected.