From graduation ceremony to epic charity bike ride

Ed at his graduation ceremony last week Ed Loveridge

Ed preparing for his epic trip at home in Dorset Ed Loveridge

Press release issued: 15 July 2025

A University of Bristol student who graduated last week with a first in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering is packing away his cap and gown to head to the Arctic Circle on Thursday to begin a mammoth 3,000 km cycle ride raising money for a school in Ghana, West Africa.

Ed Loveridge, together with his school friend Max, will fly into the Arctic Circle with their bikes before assembling them there. They will then pedal south along Norway’s stunning, jagged coastline before catching the ferry to northern Denmark.

The pair will then journey on down the coast, through Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and France – all the way to Calais, before heading back to England. The whole trip should take just over 30 days, weather and legs permitting.

Ed and Max from Beaminster in Dorset are fundraising for EDP, a small, family run UK charity which supports the Awutu-Winton School, founded as a fee-free Senior High School in Ghana.

Money raised with be used specifically for the installation of a solar power system which will allow the school to become independent from the unreliable local electricity grid. This power supply will enable the constant operation of the school's water purifier and lighting to improve education and living standards for students.

In addition, the school wants to use the installation to start a solar course and provide students with the skills to bring energy security to more schools and communities throughout the country.

Ed spent three months in Ghana during his gap year, where he volunteered at Awutu-Winton teaching maths and climate change to the students. He said: “I've seen firsthand how much of an impact donating to this charity has on children's lives. I believe that access to energy improves education, healthcare and opportunities for all.

“During our journey, we’ll sharing a tent to stay warm, dry, and hopefully out of reach of any curious polar bears. We’ll also be bringing a fishing rod, and we’re expecting a lot of fishy pasta. All our gear — tent, stove, clothes, food — will travel with us, strapped to the bikes.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge ahead and are very grateful for any donations towards this really worthy cause. Thank you.”

Following his return to the UK, Ed will start a Masters in Energy Systems at the University of Oxford from October.

You can keep up to date with Ed and Max’s adventures on Instagram @arctic_circle_cycle and you can donate via their Just Giving page.