A TWENTY-FOUR hour bike ride challenge raising money for young people with special educational needs has kicked off at an Andover school.

A group of staff and students at John Hanson Community School are taking part in the event to raise funds for 18-year-old Jasmine Allen and nine other students currently attending the brand new SEN course at Andover College.

Jasmine, who has Rett Syndrome (a genetic disorder) and various other physical disabilities, needs constant one-to-one care, and previously attended Icknield special needs school in Andover.

The money raised from the bike challenge will go to buying specialist equipment for the new independent living course at Andover College, which is allowing Jasmine and her friends to continue their education while staying in the town.

The fundraising cycle is taking place on static bikes at the school, and began at 3pm in front of a cheering crowd of supportive staff and students.

The school is also inviting members of the public to pop in between 6pm and 9pm this evening for an ‘Open Evening’ to help raise awareness and boost team morale.

Amae Smith, the deputy head girl at John Hanson Community School who is participating in the challenge, previously told the Advertiser: “All the money they raise will go to ensuring that the course is as successful as possible for these young people.”

The gofundme page set up to raise funds for the challenge has so far collected nearly £4,000. But the students are aiming to collect £10,000, which means they still need huge support from the public.

Four teams of John Hanson staff and students consisting of three members each (one male staff team, one female staff team, one male student team, and one female student team) will be taking part in a 24-hour bike ride to raise money for “Jazzie’s Journey”.

The teams will set off virtually from John Hanson to Minehead, before riding a loop of the South West, reaching milestones of Jazzie’s favourite holiday destinations such as Croyde Bay, Polzeath and St Ives.

You can visit the gofundme page at www.gofundme.com/f/john-hanson-24-bike-ride-jazzies-journey

Or to follow along with the cyclists' journey, search @everydayatjh on Instagram