A MONMOUTHSHIRE head teacher was set to complete a 100-mile cycle challenge yesterday in aid of Sport Relief.

Jared Nolan, of Usk Primary School, was given a send-off in the school yard at 9am yesterday by his pupils who wore comical sporty outfits.

Mr Nolan, who has so far raised £677 of his £1,000 target, was due to arrive back at the school before the end of the teaching day, but the school was able to track his progress via his GPS which was relayed to a screen in the school hall.

His six-hour challenge saw him cycle through towns including; Caerleon, Chepstow, Caldicot, Coleford, Monmouth, Abergavenny, Crickhowell, Gilwern, Pontypool, Llangybi before arriving back in Usk.

But it wasn't just Mr Nolan getting into the sporting spirit.

Schools, businesses and organisations across Gwent took on a variety of challenges to raise funds for the charity appeal which helps change lives at home and abroad.

Among them were pupils and staff at Ysgol Bryn Onnen, Pontypool, who dressed up and took part in a fun race in the school grounds while students at Chepstow School also took on a running challenge.

Meanwhile around 70 staff at Newport's Convey Law Ltd in Stow Hill took part in a sporting day in-house to raise funds.

Staff donned fancy dress for the day and took part in events including chest waxing and egg and spoon races.

And it was an early start to the challenge for Newport's Early Bird riders who took part in a charity cycle at The Wales National Velodrome in Newport.

The group of riders, who meet on Fridays at 7am, decided to cycle 25 miles yesterday to raise money for Sport Relief after their coach, Bryan Pilot, suggested the idea.

The team rode 160 laps non-stop, averaging 26.1mph, and completed the distance in 57 minutes and 19 seconds.

Mr Pilot explained that this was a hard challenge for the riders who would only usually cycle up to 64 laps non-stop.

He said: “This was a very good effort made by the group.”

The total raised was £288, with cyclist Katie Gilmour raising the most funds.