2 days Ago
A cycling businessman has a led an incredible bike ride across Southeast Asia in a bid to support Bolton’s leading youth charity. The Go Asia challenged was led by Andrew Crompton and saw 20 businesspeople ride from Bangkok to Saigon, facing 35 degree eight and a journey of 650 miles. All this has raised an incredible £135,000 to support Spa Road based Bolton Lads and Girls Club in the work they do with the well-being of youngsters from all over the borough.
Speaking before the start of the journey which started earlier this month Mr Crompton said: “The demand for BLGC’s mental health and wellbeing services is overwhelming, and we are determined to raise the funds needed to ensure no young person goes without support. “This ride is our way of making a difference, and we hope the community will rally behind us.” The cyclists travelled across South East Asia (Image: Bolton Lads and Girls Club) Mr Crompton is already an experienced cyclist, having travelled from Manchester to Melbourne as part of a similar challenge last year.
But as well as helping to raise funds to support youngsters in Bolton, the cyclists also made a lasting and positive impact on young people they met while on their journey. While on a leg of their journey from Pailin to Battambang the Go Asia team made a special stop at a school in Cambodia. Julian Gilbert, founder and CEO of Franking Sense, was one of the cyclists met by a school assembly (Image: Bolton Lads and Girls Club) They were greeted with smiles and excitement as they handed out gifts and learning materials to the children.
The entire school assembled to say thank you, singing a heartfelt song to wish the team luck on the rest of their journey, which they described as a truly humbling experience for the team. The cyclists travelled across 650 miles (Image: Bolton Lads and Girls Club) Back in the UK, the funds will be greatly appreciated by the Spa Road based club , which runs specialised and targeted youth services , supporting thousands of young people every day. ALSO READ: Bolton Lads and Girls Club at the 'heart of the community' for 135 years ALSO READ: Bolton Lads and Girls Club fights to save 'vital' service for young people ALSO READ: Bike donation welcomed at Bolton Lads and Girls Club They say that they have been inundated with referrals from young people looking for access to their mental health programmes.
This comes at a time when around one in five young people in the UK are experiencing mental health challenges with demand for services now far exceeding the available resources. But Bolton Lads and Girls Club aims to help address this by providing tailored mental health and wellbeing support exactly when young people need it most. They say that funds raised form the Cycle Go Asia 2024 challenge will directly aid in expanding these vital services, allowing the club to reach even more young people in need.
Anyone interested in donating can search https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/cyclegoasia2024 online.
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