Enfield: St Ignatius charity cyclists prepare to set off for Paris

Sister school in Tanzania

Three members of staff, one parent and six students from St Ignatius College in Enfield are cycling from London to Paris this weekend to raise funds for their sister school in Tanzania.

The Ignatian Charity Cycle Team is comprised of headmaster JP Morrison with James Jeffery, Andrew Dickson, Nick Kruczkowski, Joseph Kruczkowski, Pearce McGrenaghan, Guiseppe Orlando, Callum Barton, Dominic Jaques and Matthew Wojtas. They will be setting off on Saturday 25 May and are anticipating that it will take three days for them to cover the 220 miles to the French capital.

"We are raising funds for our sister (Companions) school - St Ignatius Prep & Primary School in Dodoma, Tanzania," said Declan Linnane fron St Ignatius College, "to allow AIDS orphans to attend school and continue with their education. It's a tough challenge but I have no doubt all will overcome together as team Ignatius and come back as heroes."

St Ignatius Prep and Primary is a young school, established in 2003 by the Jesuits of the East African Province. The school serves the local community and offers excellent education opportunities to those fortunate enough to attend. The government of Tanzania has been so impressed by the quality of Jesuit education that they have donated a very large piece of land to the Jesuits to enable them to expand their work and develop a secondary school, as well as colleges for training teachers and nurses.

Over the last few years, the school communities of Dodoma and Enfield have learnt more about each other. Former students of the north London college (known as Ignatians) have volunteered in Dodoma; students have visited the school in East Africa; and Jesuits and staff from Dodoma have received a warm welcome at St Ignatius College.

St Ignatius College was founded by the Jesuits in 1894 and has been on the Enfield site since 1968.

A Virgin Charity Page has been created to promote the efforts of the riders, whose target is £5000.

"We really appreciate all your support and thank you for any donations," says Mr Linnane. "We need your help. All donations will be most welcome. Merci beaucoup!"

To make a donation click here: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=London-to-Paris&isTeam=true