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The Warren,

which is our base, is a really old building and is completely falling apart, its so bad we can't even stop the leaks from coming when it rains. The leaders have been doing everything they can over the years to fix the numerous problems. Last year they had some 20 volunteers working for two days repainting everything, but sadly it's just got so bad it needs more that some hard-working volunteers to fix it now.

My personal reason for doing this ride is that I really want to repay all of the great people at Scouts somehow for the all of amazing support they've given me over the past 3 years from the Scout leaders to my fellow Scouts (Thank you!!).

There are two things you need to know about me:

1. I'm autistic which affects my communication and social skills. Everyone at 7th Hanwell has been extremely supportive, doing whatever they can to help me have equal access and enjoyment at all of the Scouts sessions and camps making me feel really accepted just as I am. Their support and understanding, leaving me feeling completely accepted and not judged has really helped me grow in so many ways.

2. I have hydrocephalus which affects my balance. So I only learned to ride confidently about a year and a half ago. During the first lockdown my dad spent days and days riding with me on all sorts of paths and I really enjoy cycling now. But its been a long time to get to this stage. When I was about 9 my mum and dad started to teach me to ride in my local park. Many of their friends as well as my OT (thats Occupation Therapist), have recently admitted that they thought I would never ride a bike.

Fundraising info - and more

I will be cycling around 1000 miles (1,609 kilometres). I know the most direct route is 874 miles but thats not a safe route for any cyclist, especially a 14-year-old, so I will be taking some diversions, plus a few more to each day to find accommodation to sleep along the way during my 14-day long ride.

Can you donate £10?

If you want to sponsor my ride per distance, I'm aiming to achieve £10 per mile. If you can afford just a penny per mile then that would be a donation of just £10, more would be great if you can afford it.

Perhaps the company you work for has a charity pot they would be happy to share with this worthy cause. You may also feel that your friends and family could offer some sponsorship to this worthy cause, so please share the message out to them as well. Because many wallets make light work.

Any surplus will be spent on updating the camping equipment which we use regularly. This would be great because our camping tents and equipment are really old and held together by tape and good luck.

I'm spending all of my money to cover the expenses for the equipment I will need for this ride from my own savings, e.g., my bike and pannier bags, lights and the extra cycling clothes etc. which I will require for this ride. It's taken me years to build up these saving but I feel this is a really well worthy cause to spend my savings on.

THANKS DAD

My dad, Brett will be riding with me and he will cover for all the food & accommodation (thanks, Dad!). He's spent so much time helping me learn to how ride my bike which has been a major success for me, as my autism and balance problems have always made this task a true challenge to achieve.

FINALLY - THE FINANCIAL DETAIL

In case youre interested in know more about what were planning on doing with these funds regarding the Warren. Well, there are two options for the refurbishment:

- Removal of cladding the existing Warren.

- Insulation.

- New bathroom and new kitchen facilities (have a look at the existing one and you will know why we need a new one)

- Rebuilding of the store room where we keep all our equipment (including tents)

We are making do with this kitchen but, frankly, its fit for the BIN!

This will include a Complete Rebuild to modern day standards with a great kitchen and separate toilets for the boys, girls and leaders, plus so much more.

Achieving sufficient funding for this option would mean a huge improvement to the facilities and the Warren transforming it into a local Community Hub to create a safe and welcoming space for local residents. Youth groups, social enterprises, charities, playgroups and many more community groups would be able to operate and deliver much needed services from the Warren, bringing neighbours together, reviving community spirit and improving lives of many local people including teenagers just like me. In short, it would help to make our neighbourhood thrive. Possibly even helping other autistic people just like me, which would be great knowing they could be getting the same sort of life changing support and help like I've received from Scouts and other groups in the future.

I'm aiming to raise £10,000 which should be sufficient to contribute to the refurbishment, but I'm also hoping that with your support I might exceed this sum as the total cost of the refurbishment is estimated to be £300,000. I hoping that you understand why this cause is so important and that you can see the value in the volunteer services like Scouts who support teenagers like me to have lives away from our computers and to be able to have better real life experiences. Developing our real life skills and aiding us to have more developed skills and growth leading us into happier long-term lives as adults.