TEACHERS and pupils at a York school have been putting their fitness to the test in two separate fundraising events.

PE teacher Val French and science teacher Kathryn Clark, from All Saints' School in Mill Mount Lane, are in training for a mammoth bike ride in Russia, travelling 600 kilometres between St Petersburg and Moscow's Red Square.

The event is being organised by the cerebral palsy charity Scope and about 60 people from across the United Kingdom are taking part.

Val said that both of them had to raise £2,500 each, which they aimed to do with a series of fundraising events at the school and sponsorship from friends, family and local businesses.

She said: "It's going to be a challenge, but it's a country we've never seen and we will be doing something to raise money for cerebral palsy." If anyone wants to sponsor the pair they should contact them at the school on 01904 647877.

In a separate event at the school, former Olympic gymnast Hayley Price put a Year 11 group through their paces in a sponsored aerobics session.

It was part of a national scheme called Superfit Kids, which raises money to allow physically and mentally disabled youngsters to enjoy gymnastics.

Half of the money raised will also go towards new cheerleading outfits for the school.

PE teacher Veronica Holmes said: "Hayley did a little display at the end and we were all gobsmacked.

"She's retired, she's 35, but she went down into the splits and we all went aahh! - it was just amazing."

Updated: 09:42 Saturday, January 26, 2002