A FARNHAM student has created a 364-mile summer fundraising cycle challenge in aid of his expedition to Cambodia to help the charity ‘United World Schools’ (UWS).

Ben Norbury, 15, will travel to Cambodia for four weeks in the summer next year, with a team from his school (The RGS Guildford) to help improve education in some of the poorest, remotest villages.

The aim of his challenge is to cycle the equivalent of a half marathon for every day he is in Cambodia (364 miles), to raise £2,000.

UWS is a charity that helps develop some of the most impoverished communities in south east Asia, mainly Cambodia. It transforms the lives of some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable children by building schools and providing teaching for those who would otherwise go without.

Ben said: “While in Cambodia, I look forward to teaching maths, sports, art and thinking games to the children at one of the schools that The RGS has already built for United World Schools.

“The second week I will help build an extra classroom, allowing more kids to be able to learn. Currently the schools are heavily overcrowded and teachers regularly have to send children back home, which can be up to a 45-minute walk away.

“For the final two weeks I will be trekking in the forest learning about the impacts of deforestation and exploring the wildlife. I feel really privileged that I have been given this opportunity to make a difference to these young people’s lives.

“A basic education is taken for granted in the UK and I am excited to do all that I can to help. I have a lot of enthusiasm and energy and I really look forward to the challenge ahead. These cycling half marathons are the start of my journey.”

Ben has been working hard on gardening, babysitting and car park duties to earn £1,500 to complement the £2,000 he hopes to raise through this tough cycle challenge.

Support Ben online at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/ben-to-cambodia.