Steve Atkinson, a member of St Mary’s Church in Cannington and keen cyclist is planning to ride more than 640 miles round the boundary of Somerset to raise funds and awareness of PROMISEworks a charity which recruits, trains, and supports volunteers to provide one-to-one mentoring to improve the mental health and well-being of some of Somerset’s most vulnerable young people.
Steve will set off from St Mary’s Church, Cannington at 11am on Sunday 21 May and will finish in Burnham-on-Sea on Sunday 4 June. On the way, he will be meeting up with mentors and mentees from PROMISEworks in the major towns of Somerset and spreading the word about the work that they do. He's been invited to stop off at some the churches in Bath and Wells along his route and has said he’d be happy for anyone to join him for part of the ride.
Steve has been a PROMISEworks volunteer for a few years and has seen first-hand what a difference is made to the lives of young people. Steve says “I am really excited about this next Charity Cycle Ride. Not only will I be doing what I enjoy most, but I will be raising money and involving an organisation close to my heart”.
For several years Steve has done annual long-distance cycle rides including one from Somerset to his original home city of York; and Land’s End to John O’Groats. He does these because he loves cycling and it keeps him fit. However, he has also raised over £6,500, through donations, for charities including the homeless, MIND, the British Heart Foundation and now PROMISEworks.
Steve who is 68 years old hopes is hoping to raise more than £3,000 for the charity through his GoFundme page.