'Oh, Pete's set up another fundraising page' - It's been a
while since I bothered you all with a challenge, a whole four years in fact.

'So what's the deal this time?' - I'm cycling 100 miles in
one day participating in the annual Ride100 in July.

'100 miles in one day? Like the Olympians did in 2012?' -
that's the one! The exact same route that Wiggo and Froome did.

'That's crazy! Isn't that the equivalent of the London
Marathon? Why are you putting yourself through that?'

Well. I'm fundraising for the Lyric Hammersmith.

'Isn't that your work place?'

Yes, but let me tell you why - you're not going to be donating to the biscuit fund. As you know I've been Producer of the Lyric Hammersmith for over two years. In that time Tipping the Velvet, Aladdin, Bugsy Malone, Herons, Shopping and Fucking, Stab in the Dark, Fantastic Mr Fox to name a few have graced our stage, but I’m raising money and awareness to support our incredible work with young people.

The Lyric is a National Arts Portfolio Organisation and receives funding from the Arts Council which is greatly received, however this makes up just one quarter of the money required to achieve everything we do.

Some numbers.

In our new Reuben Foundation wing dedicated to the development of young and emerging artists there are been over 23,000 attendances from children and young people to our wide ranging classes and activities, and we're on track to hit 30,000 this financial year.

We’ve proved how transformative the arts can be through programmes like START which just celebrated its 10th year, welcoming those who
have struggled to engage in education or employment (for various reasons) back into a safe environment to work on projects and give them a new beginning. Over the past 10 years 300 young people have taken part in START, and 87% referred on to employment, education or training and remained engaged for at least two years as a result.

Our young company provides opportunities to work on work that matters to them which then in turn feeds into our building. The reopening of the Lyric and the recent Evolution festival allowed the young people we work with to showcase the talent within our building.

One project I'm particularly interested in and was fortunate to work on last year is helping those who can't afford formal drama education. Hell there will be many of you reading this sat with your drama school award or your degree in advanced tap dancing and with a hefty loan sitting at the bottom of your bank account. For some this route into the arts simply isn't an option, but we also know that this isn't the only way to progress in this field (thankfully). That's why the Lyric offers various opportunities to young people who haven't trained to have genuine, paid learning roles within our productions. Notably our pantomime has
offered a team of six people to come and 'learn on the job' and make decisions about the future of their career in the arts - whilst doing it.

In the process the opportunity allows participants to work with people such as Lyndsey Turner, Sean Holmes, Ellen McDougall, Steve
Marmion, Laura Wade, Mel Giedroyc, Jude Christian as well as working alongside actors with a wealth of experience.

We then provide audition technique classes, provide headshots, lessons in writing to agents to seek representation and how to manage yourself as an artist.

The reward has been watching said individuals go on to secure agents, become more confident in auditions, secure national tours to landing
a featured role on prime time TV.

It all takes an incredible amount of time and money, and the Lyric team are incredibly passionate about nurturing new talent, and in a world
where it's increasingly difficult and uncertain -particularly in the Arts, I'm
proud to work for an organisation that wants to lead and make a difference. I'd be happy to take anyone for a tour around our building to show what I couldn't put into words.

Anything you can give will make a difference, you know I
wouldn't bother if I didn't believe in it.

£10 for 100 miles? Go on... then join us at Christmas to watch Jack and the Beanstalk and see what that tenner has created - the next generation of talent!