KING Edward’s School sixth former Ed Kernick went up a gear to raise more than £4,500 for a charity that helped to fund his education there.

The 18-year-old completed a 165 km cycle challenge on Saturday to raise funds for the Bridewell Foundation, the charity that awarded him a bursary and supported him through his seven years of study at King Edward’s.

Ed’s 10-hour challenge took in significant sites associated with the history of the school. Starting out at 6am from Witley, accompanied by a support vehicle, he pedalled to Christ’s Hospital, Horsham, and from there to St Bride’s Church in Fleet Street, and on to Southwark, before heading south to King Edward’s via Barrow Hills School.

He started training eight months ago with high-intensity workouts using static bikes in the gym, while he looked for a sponsor. When Surrey-based company Bike Swanky came on board and lent him a De Rosa road bike he switched to outdoors, cycling around 20 km five times a week after school.

Ed, from East London, said: “I’ve always wanted to do a long-distance bike ride and experience the sense of achievement associated with this type of activity, as well as have the chance to test my mental toughness to see how far I can really push myself.

“The Bridewell Foundation truly is a foundation for life.

“I feel honoured to have had the privilege of being a pupil at King Edward’s, and I’m determined to do all I can to enable other young people like myself to benefit from an education at the school and enjoy the same advantages I’ve had.”

• Donations can be made until September 19 at www. /mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/edwardkernick1