Southwell Care Project
Tonya’s Challenge: Bicycling for a Cause
The Southwell Care Project had been set up by a small group of parents concerned about the future for their children with learning disabilities when they, the parents, were no longer able to look after them. With very little in the way of funds, one of the Project’s clients, Tonya Hinds, decided that she and her grandmother, Beryl, would have to do something about it. Together they set up ‘Tonya's Bike Ride’ ride and, with about 30 riders, they raised £1,000. Since then there have been five ‘bike rides’ each raising up to £2,000 for the Project.
Due to her health, Tonya is now unable to ride her bike and Beryl, not as young as she once was, feels she cannot organise another. Anna Joyce, founder of the Viking Challenge (a national bike ride event in Nottingham) helped to come up with Tonya's Challenge.
With four great trails ranging from five miles to 37 miles they aim for this to be one of the biggest bike rides in the UK in time. The takes place in Southwell once a year in the spring or summer, and aims to attract serious riders from all around the country together with hundred of local families.
Southwell Care Project also seeks to create a "circle of support" with its community, with goals of helping its members find employment and explore living options, while promoting healthy living and leisure. The Project also promotes regular affairs such as parent/carer forums, coffee mornings, social evenings, time management classes, “healthy activity” sessions, and performing arts courses.
Contact details
Steve Shatwell
stevescp@tiscali.co.uk
01636 819066
Tonya's-Challenge.org
SouthwellCare.org