Cyrus stages cycle ride from London to Shipston to achieve acting ambition

FORMER Shipston High School student Cyrus Barghchi, aged 24, is on his bike and on a mission to raise money for his tuition fees at an acting school in London.

To help his cause, Cyrus is cycling 101 miles from London to the gates of his former school in Shipston on Friday 23rd June in an attempt to reach his target of £13,900 to pay for his course at The London School of Musical Theatre (LSMT) - one of the most prestigious Musical Theatre schools in London.

Like many drama schools, LSMT is not connected with a University so Cyrus is not eligible for a student loan or maintenance grant from the Government, which will makes things “very tricky” he says.

His love of theatre began at Shipston High School where he played Toto in The Wizard of Oz, he was also greatly inspired by his drama teacher Catherine Hunt who he is still in contact with.

“The bike ride is just one part of the fund raising I need to do now that I’ve been accepted at The London School of Musical Theatre. I’ve got cake sales, raffles and a pub quiz lined up as well. My dream as a little boy was to tread the boards at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre – who knows? – it may yet come true,” Cyrus said.

Cyrus hopes to cross the finish line at his former school at 3pm on Friday having set off at 6am.