Staff and supporters of a charity working with people at risk of homelessness in Lancashire carried out a sponsored 112 mile cycle ride across the Pennines from the charity’s Co Durham base to its Preston office on Tuesday August 26.
One of the cyclists was Stephen Little, an ex-marine who got involved with northern regional charity Developing Initiatives Supporting Communities (DISC) when he was going through a tough period in his life and risked losing his home in Preston.
He said: “I’ve had fantastic support from the staff at DISC. They have given me the confidence to help me sort my life out. Now I want to give something back and also tell people what a fantastic organisation it is. Nothing is impossible when you put your mind to it.”
The other cyclists were Mark Weeding and Kevin Keogh from DISC’s Durham office, who are both keen cyclists. The support team consisted of DISC’s Lancashire managers Mike Crowther, Helen Hubberstey and Chris Riley, who all live and work in Preston.
Helen Hubberstey, DISC project leader, said: “Stephen wanted to show people that anything is possible if you feel motivated and encouraged. He did it. We all did it. It feels like an amazing achievement. The dedication and commitment shown by Stephen and the staff involved shows how passionately we all feel about what our service in Lancashire is working to achieve.”
Mike Crowther, DISC’s Lancashire manager, said: “I am so proud of what Stephen and the staff at DISC have achieved together. What makes DISC unique is that we don’t just pay lip service to encouraging and empowering our service users. We actually get on with it and do it. Stephen has shown that anyone - with the right encouragement and support - can achieve great things. I would encourage anyone who has heard Stephen’s inspiring story and feels we could help them to get in touch with us straightaway.”
The trio started at 6am on Tuesday August 26 and cycled from Spennymoor in Co Durham across the Pennines to Brough and Kirkby Stephen and then over to Lancaster and Preston. Towards the end of the ride they were joined by two other supporters, Alan Armstrong, who lives in Preston and has also turned his life round with the support of DISC, and Jordan Podmore, the teenage son of another supporter.
They all finished their ride at 6.30pm at the Green Frog Van at the waterfront in Preston near DISC’s office on Riversway, where they were met by a host of tooting cars and banner-waving supporters.
DISC co-ordinates a housing support and independent living service called Compass for people at risk of homelessness in north, west and south Lancashire. Compass brings together specialists from 12 Lancashire charities and a team of skilled DISC staff to offer people a period of intensive support to learn to live independently in their own homes.
The people who use the service range include young people who find it difficult to cope with the demands of running their own homes, vulnerable people with mental health, drug and alcohol problems, and victims of domestic violence who need new accommodation.
To contact Compass ring FREEPHONE 0800 1075558, text FREETEXT 80800 (text housing support followed by message to 80800), email compass@disc-vol.org.uk or visit www.compass.disc-vol.org.uk.
Updated 26/08/08