A man in Irlam is taking on a 240km solo cycle aiming to raise money for a mental health awareness charity.
Adam Pike, 19, Irlam, is taking on a solo cycling challenge in the effort to raise £1500 money for the Jamie Horrocks Trust.
The charity that set up in memory of his uncle Jamie, a firefighter from Irlam, who sadly took his own life in 2013, aged 36.
In memory of his uncle, he will take on the challenge cycling from the Jamie Horrocks memorial bench in Princes park, Irlam, to Urmston, Stoke on Trent, Wrexham, Chester, Liverpool, and back to the original benches.
Adam who has previously completed a similar 240km cycle challenge in aid of the Jamie Horrocks Trust, with a group of peers.
However, this time he will be tackling the challenge alone, as he said: “Its all about making Jamie proud, and it’s very close to my heart, I’m most worried about getting a flat tire to be honest.”
Adam, who is a footballer for Irlam Steel Rangers, has recently come back from America after achieving a football scholarship, and is using his athleticism to raise money for the cause.
He continued: “I was so close to Jamie, I want to do something that would make him proud.”
To prepare for the big day, Pike is taking regular bike rides, and is completing a larger 100km-150km ride every fortnight, to maintain his fitness.
“It shouldn’t take something bad to happen for people to talk about mental health, the only way to change that is to turn a bad thing into a good thing.”
The trust uses funding to support families in the area who are affected by suicide, and also to raise awareness about men’s mental health awareness.
They also run a weekly club, The Lad’s Den, as a safe space for men and boys to be more honest and open about their feelings.
The Jamie Horrocks Trust also run a stand at the annual Irlam Live festival, in aid of starting conversations and breaking the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.
Adam plans to complete his 240km charity event on May 31st, 2025, a very close day to him and his family.
He said: “Jamie passed away on the 30th of may, so doing the fundraising the day after will be really nice.”
Jamie’s passing left devastation for his loved ones, being described by the charity as having an ‘infectious smile’.
He was nominated for a Pride of Britain Award in 2010 after a gas explosion in Irlam left multiple families without homes.
Adam continued: “It’s hard to put it into words when it’s a goal you want to reach, the work that the charity do is second to none and it’s very close to my heart,” Adam said.
A Just Giving page has been set up to organise fundraising for the charity. Donations to the fundraising event can be made here.
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