Pedal power will be put to the test when staff and supporters of a Lancaster-based youth charity challenge themselves to a marathon fundraising cycle ride this June.
Guy Christiansen, chief executive of Lancashire Youth Challenge, will be joined by colleague Sam Duckles, young trustee Josh Lightbown, youth worker Ed Maxwell and friend of the charity, Bill Best on the 170 mile Coast2Coast Cycle Challenge.
They set off from Morecambe on June 16 and take the Way of the Roses, finishing at Bridlington on June 19. Along the way, their support vehicle will be driven by Alaric Best, a new LYC trustee.
“We hope to cycle about 43 miles a day and the biggest challenge will be the hills in the first stage through the Trough of Bowland and into the Yorkshire Dales,” Guy said.
But Guy’s no stranger to marathon cycle rides as he’s been doing them nearly every year since 2011 when he worked at The Dukes youth arts centre. The first ride to benefit LYC took place ten years ago from Lancaster to Edinburgh.
“It can be hard work when we’re cycling but I love the meditative quality of it. When I’m taking in the sights, sounds and smells of nature, I can totally switch off.”
The cyclists aim to raise £2,000 which will be donated to LYC’s Time to Breathe programme. It will enable young people supported by LYC to enjoy nature walks, visit farms and plant trees and flowers as part of a series of wellbeing activities.
LYC received a prestigious Queen’s Award in 2021 for its work enabling young people to build confidence and resilience via an exciting year-round programme of personal development and wellbeing programmes, creative arts activities, community impact projects, outdoor expeditions and cultural education events.
Young people attend weekly gym and mental health sessions and this year alone, LYC has run projects at Bay Leadership Academy and Stanleys youth centre, both in Morecambe, and with Ukrainian refugees in Preston.
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