Bike ride between prisons to break offending cycle

Freddie Peart will cycle through Surrey between High Down and Downview prisons to the Herne Hill Velodrome

Cyclists will take on a 70km (44 mile) ride across Surrey on Friday to raise funds for a charity that helps prevent reoffending.

Onwards and Upwards trains prisoners with skills they can use to get work when they are released.

Projects include XO Bikes in High Down and XO Barbers in Brixton, which offer training to become bike mechanics and barbers respectively.

The riders will travel between HMP High Down and HMP Downview in Sutton, South London, through Surrey and across Box Hill, to the Herne Hill Velodrome in London, site of the cycling events in the 1948 Olympics.

One of those taking part is Freddie Peart, chairman of an oil supply company.

He said: "I'm proud to be riding in support of a cause that helps people find purpose and a second chance after prison.

"XO Bikes is proof that everyone deserves a shot at building something better."

The charity Upwards & Onwards teaches offenders skills they can use to get jobs

The project at High Down sees old bikes that have been donated refurbished.

The riders will enjoy lunch at The Clink, a charity restaurant run at High Down to train offenders for careers in catering and hospitality.