STAFF and students from Cowes Enterprise College got on their bikes to raise money for Syrian refugees.

Around 40 staff and sixth-formers took part in a sponsored cycle ride at Cowes Club — formerly Gurnard Pines — to raise funds for CalAid and The Samara’s Aid Appeal, to help refugees stranded in Calais and those still in Syria.

They hit the gym between 4pm and 9pm on Monday with six super fit students — Aaron Rackett, Jack Armstrong, James Gasper, Sam Lewis and Oliver Fautley, all 16 — biking nonstop for the entire five hours. It is hoped the fundraiser will bring in more than £1,000 when all the sponsorship money is collected.

A raffle, with a cake made by an aunt of student Joseph Williams as the top prize, raised £75.

Event organiser Zoe Divers, communications intern at the academy, said: “It was brilliant to get so many people involved. The school is a collection point for the CalAid appeal so everyone knows how urgent the situation is.”