Three intrepid cyclists, who raised £4,800 for the Butterwick Hospice, have been recognised as inspirational young people of the Year with a prestigious award from Youth Focus: North East.
The award recognises the accomplishments of Richmond School and Sixth Form students, brothers Andrew and James Lunn and their friend Marcus Weston, who conceived and achieved the daunting cycling challenge of Richmond to Richmond to support the work of the North-East’s Butterwick Hospice.
Andrew, 11, and James, 13, cycled 300 miles, from Richmond Surrey to Richmond North Yorkshire in just five days. Meanwhile, Marcus, also 13, who suffers with Cardio Facio Cutaneous Syndrome, cycled 30 miles, one each day around the school car park, on his adapted tricycle. Their fabulous fundraising total stemmed from their determination, heart-felt approach, blood, sweat, and tears and the generosity of their donors.
Emma Abbott and Heather Insull, from Youth Focus: North East, paid a special visit to Richmond School to meet the students and present their award. They spoke to the boys about why they did the project and James, 13, explained that they had read in the paper about the Butterwick Hospice losing money through fraud and they decided to do something about it. When asked if they are planning any more adventures, James went on to say that he would like to do a larger ride, perhaps John O’ Groats to Land’s End. His words of advice to others, who may be thinking of taking on a challenge, were: “If you start trying don’t give up and do good, undo harm.”
Emma Abbott, Youth Support Worker at Youth Focus: North East, commented: “The boys think it’s only a bike ride, but for showing determination and motivation it will inspire a lot of young people to consider a challenge. I would be shouting from the rooftops about what they’ve done. It’s amazing, they should be really proud of themselves.”
The boys are honoured to receive this accolade which comes only four months after Richmond Cycling Club presented them with their Chairman’s award for their special achievement.
With bases in Gateshead and Middlesbrough, Youth Focus: North East is a regional charity that reaches out and connects young people and the organisations and professionals who support them. Progressive and dynamic, their work is rooted in the values of youth work. They want young people to have the best from the organisations they access and the professionals who work with them. The charity supports a network of over 1,500 organisations and individuals concerned with improving the lives of young people. The charity has been established for 30 years and, among others, is supported by the National Lottery Community Fund, The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and The Co-operative Foundation.
Jenna Potter, Headteacher at Richmond School and Sixth Form College, added: “I am in awe of our three incredible students and cannot begin to imagine what they put themselves through with their challenges. It is wonderful to hear that they have received such recognition for their achievements and they are a true inspiration to their fellow students at Richmond School.”
To find out more about the work of Youth Focus: North East visit https://youthfocusne.org.uk/ and for further information on how to support the Butterwick Hospice visit https://www.butterwick.org.uk/