Posted: 06/08/13
Bike-a-thon finale to ‘Big Adventure’
A Mansfield and Ashfield charity is set to benefit from the kindness of local teenagers who are raising money through a sponsored bike-a-thon next week, organised by West Nottinghamshire College.
Fifteen 16 and 17-year-olds who have spent four weeks enjoying physical challenges and activities in the outdoors are ending their National Citizen Service (NCS) project by cycling the equivalent of 300 miles on Wednesday (7 August) to raise cash for Mansfield and Ashfield Women’s Aid (MAWA).
Taking place at the Oasis Gym on Quarry Lane, Mansfield, the teenagers will be cycling for cash from 9am to 3pm and all money raised will be going to MAWA.
The NCS, which has been delivered by NCS across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, is a government-led initiative designed to support young people in the transition to adulthood through residential projects and community-based activities.
The group has already enjoyed a four-night residential adventure in the Peak District, getting involved in mental and physical challenges.
During the second week of the project they visited the University of Nottingham’s halls of residence where they picked up valuable employability and communication skills before embarking on putting together a social action project.
This is just one of seven Big Adventure groups organised by the college throughout the summer period and have also included a fundraising car wash and a talent night.
The college’s project leader for NCS Nigel Oldham said: “This has been a huge success and the group have shown such enthusiasm towards all of the activities over the last two weeks and have met new people and taken part in new challenges.
“They decided collectively that for the social action part of the project they would like to raise money for a local charity and organise a bike-a-thon. If their hard work and willingness over the last fortnight is anything to go by, they’re set to raise plenty of cash for MAWA.”
