A GROUP of fundraisers from Risca are planning to cycle to Amsterdam in support of a mental health charity.
Dubbed the Ty-Sign 500, the cyclists are taking on the challenge of riding the 500 miles to the Dutch capital over ten days later this year.
Lee Cresswell, one of the Ty-Sign 500 riders, said: “Me and James (Francis) were going to do it to Calais but then we thought “shall we just go to Amsterdam?”.
“It’s only an extra 200 miles after all.”
The ride will commence on September 10, World Suicide Prevention Day, with the team aiming to reach Amsterdam ten days later.
The riders - Lee Cresswell, Dale Cresswell, James Francis, Chris Fido, Adam Morris, Greg Haines and David Thomas – have chosen to undertake the trip in support of the Jacob Abraham Foundation, a mental health charity based in Cardiff.
Ty-Sign 500 team participating in suicide prevention training.
The charity was set up by Nicola Abraham after her son Jacob took his own life in 2015 aged 24. They offer suicide prevention awareness, mental health first aid courses and counselling – all free of charge.
It is a cause which is deeply personal for the team. Lee Cresswell said: “One of the lads (Chris Fido), his uncle tragically and unexpectedly took his own life.
“So, we wanted to do it for mental health, every week we were seeing someone affected by it. We looked into doing it for one of the big charities but then we thought it might be better to do it for a local charity like Jacob Abraham.”
On September 10, the Ty-Sign 500 will set off from the Prince of Wales – following a route which will see them stop off in Bath, Newbury, Windsor, Rochester and Folkestone. After that the team will hop over the Channel before taking the purpose-built cycle route all the way from Calais to Amsterdam.
James Francis said: “We’re hoping to average about 50 miles a day. That means we’ll be able to stop off in some places to have a look around.”
Ty-Sign 500 members Lee Cresswell, Dale Cresswell, James Francis, Chris Fido, Adam Morris, Greg Haines and David Thomas (L-R).
Members of the Ty-Sign 500 recently met up with representatives from the Jacob Abraham Foundation for a suicide prevention course. They have also organised a number of fundraising events in the lead-up to their departure in September.
The first event will be a charity curry night at the Prince of Wales pub in Risca on February 16.
“We’re trying to raise as much money along the way as we can,” said Mr Cresswell.
To support the Ty-Sign 500, either visit justgiving.com/fundraising/tysign500 or text JAFU50 and the amount you wish to donate to 70070.
For more information about the Jacob Abraham Foundation and the services they provide, visit jacobsfoundation.org.uk
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