In Brief: 26.2 miles ran. 400 miles cyled over the Alps. 1.4 miles yet to swim in the British sea. Why? A youth cafe - suggested and supported by the local council, run by a dedicated team from a church in Bishops Stortford.

In detail: On Sunday 16th April I took on the London marathon after getting a last minute place 4 weeks earlier. I trained hard and crossed the finish line in 4 hours and 55 minutes which I was so pleased about after such a short lead up time.

I then set my focus on probably the hugest challenge I have ever thought of putting my name down for. I along with 90 other thrill seeking, and lycra loving individuals, flew over to Munich and took on a 400 mile trans-alpine bike ride from southern Germany to northern Italy. Over the 5 days we biked through the Austrian and Slovenian mountains and finishing in northern Italy in Trieste. I had never been on a racing bike 2 and a half months before the start date, nor had I cycled more than 63 miles in one day, and until my first day in Munich I had never even cycled using clip in shoes, so that could have gone very wrong on a 108 mile ride. I used my Dad's 25+ year old racing bike which we still had in the garage, which I have come to love. I think that he would be very happy if he knew that it had seen such an adventure, and I still can't quite believe that I managed to do it.

My final challenge for the Thirst cafe now, may not seem as tough in comparison, but rounds up the run, cycle, swim nicely in a place that I am very fond of. On Sunday 14th July I will be swimming 1.4 miles from Bournemouth pier to Boscombe pier in the sea. Which is the equivalent of 90 lengths of a pool without any stopping at the shallow end to have a chat! I'm looking forward to it, but reckon that I'll find it a challenge as I haven't been swimming for a while. 

So that's WHAT I'm doing, and here is WHY I am doing it....

When I was 18 years old I had this thought that it would be amazing if somehow there could be somewhere for young people to go in Bishops Stortford where they could feel at home and cared about whatever their background or home situation. And just over a year ago this project sprung up seemingly from nowhere. Here's the story....

..... Following the success of a church run youth cafe in Epping, the local council approached the Community Church in Bishops Stortford (my home church) to see whether they were interested in collaborating to set up a similar project in our town. The council had seen the work that the church has been doing over several years inside and outside the church building with teenagers and asked if they would be interested in taking it on. After lots of planning and preparation, one young man coming back from doing aid work in Africa to lead it, and countless meetings, the lease has been signed and the next step now is to renovate the currently vacant shop unit on the high street. 

The vision for the project is this....

Thirst will be a cafe specially for the young people of Bishop's Stortford (my home town). It will be a venue on the high street that is funky, cool, inviting and fresh. That offers free entry and serves hot and cold food and drink at reasonable prices. It will be a place where teenagers from the town will be able to come and simply 'be themself', a home from home. A place for the young people to build community, develop relationships and seek help and advice should they want or need it from the volunteers who will be running the cafe. Young people are important and valuable to our community, and we would like to help change the negative perception of them. Young people matter.

Thirst will have regular open 'mic' night helping to support and raise awareness of local young talent, as well having free internet access, pc's to use, and a pool table. Thirst will be open Monday - Saturday 3pm - 11pm

The website is www.thirstcafe.com where you 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page, dig deep and donate what you would like to.