Matt Le Tissier joins cyclists in raising £30k for sensory equipment at entrepreneur’s old school

A team of cyclists led by entrepreneur Darren Ridge raised over £30,000 in a sponsored bike ride to support young people at his former school.

Darren rode with colleagues and friends from the Whiteley headquarters of Onecom, which he co-founded in 2002, to Havant Academy in Leigh Park.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, the event smashed its initial £20,000 target.

Riders were given a sendoff by former Southampton football star Matt Le Tissier and greeted by Pompey player Matt Ritchie when they returned from the 30-mile round trip.

The funds raised will purchase a Cubbie unit – an immersive multisensory space that helps reduce students’ anxiety, encourages participation and prepares them for learning.

The academy has several students who’ll benefit from this technology.

Darren was a pupil at Havant Academy when it was known as Wakeford Comprehensive School.

Inspired by his own experiences, he founded The Ridge Foundation to help children and young people from challenging backgrounds reach their full potential.

“Every time I’ve revisited my former school, I’ve seen first-hand the challenges young people and their teachers face every day, and also how they achieve extraordinary things together,” said Darren.

“I’d like to thank Matt Le Tissier, Matt Ritchie, all the riders and all the sponsors who helped fund technology which will make a real difference to the wellbeing of students at the academy.”

Headteacher Vicki Dillon-Thiselton added: “Our school has a high level of need, both in terms of the levels of deprivation of the children who come into the school and their social, emotional and mental health concerns.

“Thanks to this donation, we’ll be able to fund technology which will greatly improve the lives of some of our young people and support them in their studies.

“We’re very grateful to everyone who took part in the ride, all who sponsored, and to Darren for his ongoing support for our school.”

The Ridge Foundation previously donated £30,000 to create The Ridge Centre at Havant Academy – which is fitted with technology to support students who find it hard to work in a classroom environment – and supports the school with various other projects.

Darren and fellow Onecom co-founder Aaron Brown also run Ridown, which has invested in tech businesses like broadband provider Onestream and device recycling specialist WeBuyAnyPhone.

• theridgefoundation.com
• ridown.com