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| 26 Jun 2026 | |
| Written by Jos Hollington | |
| OB News |
It is 25 years since a young OB, Mike Polden, died suddenly aged 20, from a condition he didn't know he had, having just finished his first year at Exeter University. He was a very talented cricketer and footballer at Brentwood School and, sadly all too briefly, for the Old Brentwoods. An energetic and fun character, Mike touched many lives and continues to do so for his closest friends.
In what seems like a fitting way to remember Mike, OBs Tom Williams, Fred Rylah, Ed Gooday, Tom Robson, Michael Woodrow, Andrew Turk and Nicholas Hobbs, plus three other friends of Mike's – who are collectively known as The Carpe Diem Society and who have regularly fundraised for Cardiomyopathy UK in Mike's memory – will be undertaking a 270 mile cycle ride from Exeter University to Brentwood over the weekend of 3 to 5 July.
The team is aiming to raise £15,000 and would be humbled by any donations from OBs and the wider school community. Click here to donate - CDCC Exeter to Essex Charity Ride 2026 is fundraising for Cardiomyopathy UK.
The finish line (target arrival at 1pm) is at The Rose, in Shenfield, on Sunday 5th July, where they would be delighted to see any OBs to greet them at the end of their challenge ….. and maybe buy them a pint or two!
