Artturi's fundraiser for The Bridge Academy, Hackney
Artturi Voutilainen is raising money for The Bridge Academy, Hackney
Story
While many of us are looking forward to some rest and relaxation this summer, I’ve decided to cycle 725km from Switzerland to Slovenia over the eastern Alps to raise funds for the Bridge Academy in Hackney.
The funds will go to towards covering the cost of providing a dedicated Place2Be councillor to meet with the students at school to provide mental health support through one-to-one and group counselling. It is advice and safety that they need to grow.
I appeal to you to support this cause and help the Bridge Academy and their students. Thank you in advance.
The Cycling for Good challenge
With a group of old and new colleagues we will cycle from Landquart in Switzerland to Ljubljana in Slovenia. Over 5 days we will cover an astonishing distance of 725km while climbing over 13,000m. That’s an average of 145km of road and 2,600m of ascent per day! Leg BURN!
The route will take us through 5 countries with breathtaking highlights on the way including the Silvretta Bielerhöhe Pass, Timmelsjoch pass, Passo Valparola, Triglav National Park and Lake Bled.
The Bridge Academy
Students at Bridge Academy come from some of the most disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK. Over 50% receive free school meals, more than double the national average. Poverty, family breakdown, poor housing and crime are just some of the challenges many face daily, along with the usual difficulties of being a teenager and growing up in a complex world. But we don't let these factors define them or determine their futures. Despite these disadvantages Bridge Academy students achieve above the national average at GCSE and A Level and achieve results in the top 10% nationally, outperforming students from much more privileged backgrounds.
Place2Be counselling
An inhouse counsellor specially trained in the needs of children and young adults helps students with the everyday difficulties they face - friendships, family relationships, exam stress, self worth, bullying, all of which can have an effect on their wellbeing and academic achievement. With the support of counselling they find ways to overcome difficulties and face each day.
"Counselling has helped me be more open about my feelings and build better relationships with my teachers and classmates." - Year 8 girl.
"Thank you so much for all the support you have given my child, I honestly don't know how we would have got through without you" - Parent of Y8 student.
"It feels nice to be able to just talk about thing I might not be able to talk about with friends or family." - Year 8 student.