A REDDITCH man is gearing up for an epic fundraising challenge to celebrate his 60th birthday.
The event will be outside and consists of three consecutive 12-hour bike rides resulting in over 100 miles a day ridden and coupled with two nights sleeping rough.
The challenge will raise money for Acts of Kindness, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and BEN’s, three charities based at 24 Church Green East that provide frontline support to people across Redditch – from debt advice and food support to youth mental health and educational advocacy.
Chris Hall, who has organised it, said the challenge is both a personal and is a visual representation of what many local people are experiencing daily.
“People are exhausted. They’re working relentlessly just to keep going – juggling work, rising bills, family pressures and worries about their children’s mental health or education. “Many are lying awake at night with fear and uncertainty. For some, that struggle has led to homelessness.”
Chris has done various fundraising events over the years and so to mark his 60th birthday wanted to challenge himself yet again and raise funds giving something back to people in the town where he worked for the council for many years.
“This is my way of supporting the place I spent of my youth and where my children grew up and where I see such a growing need,” he said.
“This challenge will push me physically and mentally – extreme fatigue, exposure to the cold, and hours of cycling – but that discomfort reflects the daily slog many people in our town are facing.”
Co-organiser Emma Marshall, debt centre manager for Christians Against Poverty, said the funds raised will directly support local residents, including families and young people.
“We’re seeing increasing demand across all three services.
“BEN’s supports children who are struggling with their mental health or finding school overwhelming. Without that help, many would be left without the support they need to stay in education.”
Funding for charities is becoming increasingly critical, the services are largely volunteer-led, and supported by more than 50 volunteers across the three organisations.
Mrs Marshall added: “What we need is the public, local businesses, councillors, local organisations to get involved by donating money, donating prizes we can use for a raffle, donating food, sharing the fundraiser.”
Donations can be made via justgiving.com/charity/actsofkindness and the money will be shared equally across the three charities.
The event starts at 6am on Tuesday March 17 and finishes on Thursday March 19 at 6pm in Mercian Square in the town centre.
