Update: Yes - hard to believe, but I actually did it, thanks to support from Dom and North Warwickshire Leisure Services who kept a steady supply of water and nuts and other healthy stuff!
Thank you so much to everyone who sponsored me and helped to exceed my target. It will help to change the lives of homeless young people in Warwickshire.
Working at Doorway and meeting homeless young people on a daily basis is inspiring. Each year we have over 400 referrals to our Advice Service. When young people explain events leading up to their homelessness it is hard to imagine what they have gone through. Their resilience in dealing with such rejection is impressive. Last year, more than 100 young people were supported into independent living. Once they are in our private landlords accommodation, we help them to move forward positively in various aspects of their lives. It is fantastic to see their self esteem and confidence improve. At present over 50% of those with our Support Service are in employment, training or studying, helped by our Jobwise programme.
When Councillor Dominic Ferro chose Doorway as his beneficiary charity for his year as Mayor of North Warwickshire, we were delighted. Then the words 'sponsored bike ride on exercise bikes' came up. "Yes" I said quickly, before stopping to remember how unfit and unhealthy I am! That was quickly followed by thoughts of the young people we see and the difference that is made to their lives by our work. It has inspired me to succeed and on 29th March, I will be with Dom in North Warwickshire throughout the day, doing a virtual bike ride in Coleshill, then onto Polesworth, Atherstone and finishing at Arley Sports Centre. We will 'travel' approximately 10 miles at each place.
When I have talked about this to people who know me, most of them burst out laughing - I'm really not the athletic type. Ha - you are my second source of inspiration!!!
Your support will be massively appreciated. Thank you.
