Officers from the Dearne Safer Neighbourhood Team joined in a sponsored cycle ride to help raise cash for a local school.

PCSO Supervisor Lee Rogers and Neighbourhood Warden Chris Jones joined forces with the Robert Ogden School in Thurnscoe, Barnsley, for the 10-mile sponsored bike ride on Wednesday 28 April.

The event was organised by support teacher Gareth Ash, who has taught at the school for 10 years, and 13-year-old student Kristen Steels. The SNT were invited along to oversee the start of the event and ensure it was safe. The team also helped canvass for sponsors.

The group cycled from the school onto Bolten on Dearne to Wath, Brampton, Wombwell, Darfield and Middle Cliff in two hours 50 minutes.

Kristen said: "We had a lot of fun on our sponsored cycle ride although it was very tiring. We had a good time with the police officers who cycled with us to the end of Thurnscoe and made sure we were safe. It was very nice of them to do that.”

Gillian Roberts, head teacher at The Robert Ogden School, said: “We are very proud of Kristen and Gareth for cycling such a long way and raising so much money.

“People with autism sometimes struggle with changes to routine but they prepared for the journey by studying maps of South Yorkshire at the school. It has been great for his confidence and he had a huge sense of achievement when he got back, although he was exhausted!"

The team raised £400, which will be spent on new football goal posts for the school, which specialises in teaching youngsters with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Sergeant Gill Blake, of Dearne SNT, also said: “We work closely with the school, which is nationally renowned for its work with children with autism and Aspergers Syndrome. We have a great relationship with the school and were happy to get involved in cycling part of the route with Gareth and Kristen. The amount raised was absolutely brilliant.”