TWO brothers from Overton have undertaken extraordinary challenges to raise money for a community pool.

Patrick and Henry Furze, aged 15 and 17, took on a tough bike ride and swimming challenge respectively to raise money for Overton’s Lorsdfield Community Pool.

Patrick, a Year 10 student at Testbourne Community School, completed his ultimate challenge of cycling 100 laps of the village last Saturday, July 23.

A very keen road cyclist and a new member of Oakley Pedalers Cycling Club, Patrick rode 140 miles for nearly 11 hours to complete his endeavour.

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“It was really a big moment,” Patrick said.

“To think that a few months ago, injury kept me doing the sport I live for, to here where I cycled for nearly 11 hours.

“Almost 50 laps in, I was on the verge of giving up. I didn't feel strong in the saddle and I had both physically and mentally given up. But then I got support from family and friends.

“After that, 11 hours never felt so great. It goes to show that when you feel down, all it takes is the right people to pick you up. I want to say a massive thank to everyone who funded me and came down to support me. Thank you.”

He has so far raised £915 for the community pool.

BBC presenter and Overton resident Mike Bushell said: “As someone who’s covered some extraordinary sporting challenges , Patrick’s ‘Pedal for the Pool’ is right up there.

“To come up with the idea and to know to how tough it will be cycling all those laps around the village takes an enormous amount of courage and dedication. He’s an inspiration and shows what the lords field Pool means to the young people in our community.

“He will have the whole village behind him and the more of us that can get out to support Patrick the better. He’s doing this for all of us and it’s an incredible challenge."

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Meanwhile, Patrick’s elder brother, Henry,  took to the community pool last week to swim three miles in 1hour 13 minutes to raise money for the pool.

A student at Peter Symonds 6th Form College, and a member of Bluefins Swimming Club, Henry raised £135 to add to his younger brother’s fundraiser.

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