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Coast to coast fundraiser passes £1k mark

Staff across St Christopher’s have been taking on fundraising challenges to raise money for St Christopher’s 150th birthday appeal.

Jamie, who works in one of our Isle of Man services, completed a gruelling coast to coast cycle challenge on the UK mainland. Jamie’s dad did the challenge a few years back and he was eager to do it with him and two childhood family friends this time around.

Donations to this challenge are supporting our campaign in the Isle of Man to raise funds for our Support Into Employment Service, which helps care leavers to learn workplace skills and find the right job for them.

​The cyclists started at Whitehaven before travelling to Penrith on the first day, Allenheads on the second, then onto the finish line at Tynemouth. Unfortunately their hotel was in Newcastle so they had to do an extra 15 miles on top of their journey before they could put their feet up!

​On the last day they also had to face five punctures, a broken wheel, a broken chain and a (minor) crash in the dark, but thankfully everyone was okay.​

It was mentally and physically challenging, taking on some of the hardest climbs in the UK, but the group motivated each other the whole way so that they could all smash it together. Along the way they met some really kind people who helped with punctures, directions and food recommendations, and even people just to have a nice chat with and make the trip very pleasant.

The trip gave everyone some perspective on life and surroundings on the island, such as the importance of friends and family. It also made them think about how young people in care can sometimes miss out on fun experiences like this, which the rest of us might take for granted.

So far Jamie has raised an impressive £1,355, including a generous donation of £500 from local business IQEQ and their staff.

​Jamie said: “We made it in one piece, we’re very sore today but feeling very happy with the achievement. The trip was amazing and gave me some time to reflect on my role and the reason why we did it – for the children and young people at St Christopher’s.”

St Christopher’s Crowdfunder campaign launches on 1 October, so keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter to find out how you can get involved in creating brighter futures for children and young people.