A Ballakermeen High School student will cycle for 24 hours in tribute to his teacher whose death was announced last week.

Jake Hodgson will cycle laps of the outer NSC track in Douglas this Saturday (May 16) in memory of Carol Synnott - a teacher in English and global perspectives at the Douglas school, as well as Jake’s tutor teacher this academic year.

As part of the tribute, the 15-year-old will be raising money towards his postponed ’3 Country Challenge’ fundraiser which is raising money for Hospice Isle of Man and Alzhiemer’s Society UK and Ireland.

The challenge would have seen Jake cycling approximately 180 miles across the width of Ireland, running about 12 miles across the width of the Isle of Man and walking 190 miles across the width of England this summer.

However, due to the pandemic this is not possible.

Jake, who lives in Douglas, said: ’Mrs Synnott was really funny and had a character about her. She gave me lots of encouragement to do the 3 Country Challenge and donated £50. She couldn’t wait for me to do it.’

Finding out about her death was ’really shocking’, he said, adding: ’We all thought: "Is this real?". It’s really sad. She’s got to be one of the best tutors we’ve had.’

Mrs Synnott had also made Jake a special pencil case using her husband’s peaked cap - Jake’s trademark look.

The tribute ride, which is subject to the weather, will start at 10am on Saturday with Mrs Synnott’s husband, Barry, and her son, Mike, starting Jake off on the line.

Jake’s friend, Jessie Owens, will also be doing a 40km run with him in aid of his chosen charities. Those wishing to take part are encouraged to private message Jake’s fundraising Facebook page, @3CountryChallenge, to keep it a safe occasion due to the pandemic.

Make a donation online at www.justgiving.com/crowd funding/3countrychallenge