MORE than 200 cyclists will arrive at Ampleforth Abbey this weekend to mark the end of a fundraising challenge for disadvantaged children.

The riders are covering 200 miles in two days from Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, to Ryedale with the aim of raising £600,000 for the Bruno Bursary Fund to give youngsters the chance to attend Ampleforth College or its prep school St Martin’s Ampleforth.

Ampleforth’s director of development and marketing Jozef Mycielski and his wife, Vivian, set up the fund two years ago following the death of their baby son, Bruno.

The couple said they were determined to ensure Bruno’s legacy gave other children the best possible start, and had set about recruiting riders for the Bruno 200 Challenge, many of them Old Amplefordians, parents and staff. The team also includes William Burlington, son of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and many Chatsworth and Ampleforth staff, including Ampleforth headteacher and tri-athlete David Lambon.

Riders will ascend 17,500ft over two days through the Peak District National Park, before arriving at Ampleforth College on Saturday, where a welcoming committee of more than 500, including the Mycielski family will meet them.

Jozef said: “Both Vivian and I are absolutely overwhelmed by the commitment of those participating in the Bruno 200 Challenge.

“It is a real testament to the strength of the Ampleforth community. As a family we are hugely proud and thankful that our tiny son leaves such a positive legacy for others.

“We are also so grateful to all our sponsors who have made this event possible and these include some wonderful Yorkshire-based companies such as Milners Solicitors, Hatfields Land Rover in Pickering, Robert Thompson Craftsmen Ltd (Mouseman), Bardon Environmental, Wheelden Print, Westholme Estate, Ogden of Harrogate, Biker Group, Carter Jonas and Cycle Heaven in York.”

Headteacher David Lambon said one of his key objectives for the coming years was to widen access to the school.

“I am very keen to support the Bruno Bursary Fund by participating in the cycle challenge,” he said.

“The school’s current bursary schemes offer support to a large number of pupils and we want to expand this even further with the Bruno Fund.

“I think the Bruno 200 is a wonderful idea and the show of support has been overwhelming. To have 200 cyclists taking part, from teaching and support staff to parents and friends, truly illustrates the unique sense of community here at Ampleforth.”