Chessington mum on 500 mile cycle to buy school sun-shades (From Kingston Guardian)

Chessington mum on 500 mile cycle to buy school sun-shades

12:11pm Wednesday 7th July 2010 in Your Say By David Lindsell

A mother from Chessington is cycling to Edinburgh to raise money to build "sun-sails" to protect children at St Mary's Primary School from UV light.

Heidi Sedgeman will set off on Friday to bike nearly 500 miles with her friend Chris Taliadoros.

She expects to arrive on July 16.

She said: "Following the loss of my first husband to skin cancer, my drive is to prevent as many young children as possible developing skin cancer in years to come."

St Mary’s headteacher, Linda Rainbow, said: "What Heidi is doing is fantastic. "As two of her children are pupils at St. Mary’s, we are in the lucky position of directly benefiting from the funds she raises but, so much more than that, I hope her bike ride raises awareness so that all schools are able to provide appropriate shading for children and reduce their exposure to harmful UV rays."

The sun-sails will provide shading for the playground at St Mary's school.

To support Heidi visit charitygiving.co.uk/heidiwest19661