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Rathbone youth work apprentice Samuel Bray is getting into gear to cycle more than 100 MILES so that teens in Tameside can experience the countryside for the first time in their lives. The 19-year-old, whose past experience of homelessness and family upheaval help him mentor trainees on Rathbone’s Opening Doors programme, will get on his bike to make the staggering hike from Manchester to Conwy in North Wales on May 14th. And he hopes his spell pedalling will pump funds into a project to take homeless teenagers to the Lake District, where they will tackle challenges together as a team plus get in touch with the natural world. “The idea is to take the young people out of their comfort zone” said Samuel who works at Rathbone’s Ashton-under-Lyne and Oldham centres, “the young people are homeless and vulnerable but by taking part in activities such as abseiling, rock climbing and orienteering we aim to increase their confidence.” Samuel will be travelling in tandem with Rob Littlewood, Team Manager at the Nacro Hurst Young People’s Project (HYPP) an organisation offering good supported dwellings and more permanent housing for homeless youngsters. HYPP helped Samuel following a family dispute when aged just 16 and he has since repaid that support by becoming a role model and now tireless fundraiser for HYPP. “We will be taking young people who have never been out of Tameside before into an environment where they will be thrown together and have to support each other” said Rob. “Some of these young people have battled mental health problems or been involved in drug and alcohol addiction and this residential will do so much to help them develop their skills and experience something new.” Amongst the 10 young people travelling to the Ghyll Head Outdoor Education Centre close to Lake Windermere will be young people currently training with Rathbone. Both Samuel and Rob have been pushing it in the gym before taking to the saddle in pursuit of the £2000 they need to fund the five-day trip. “This will be the furthest I’ve ever ridden” admits Rob, “but at least I’ll be in good company!”
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