Freddie Peart, joint chairman/shareholder of leading heating oil supplier Your NRG is riding The Great Release to raise vital funds for Onwards & Upwards, a charity dedicated to breaking the cycle of reoffending by creating meaningful employment opportunities for people leaving prison.
The route begins at HMP High Down and HMP Downview, where participants will enjoy a lunch prepared by charity restaurant The Clink. They’ll then head north through the iconic Box Hill and finish at the historic Herne Hill velodrome, home of the 1948 Summer Olympic cycling events.
Funds raised from Freddie’s challenge will support XO Bikes, Onwards & Upwards' flagship venture, which trains ex-offenders as bike mechanics, refurbishes donated bikes, and helps rebuild lives through sustainable employment. Every refurbished XO bike carries a unique tag – the ID number of the person who repaired it – making each one a symbol of transformation.
Freddie says “I’m proud to be riding in support of a cause that helps people find purpose and a second chance after prison. XO Bikes is proof that everyone deserves a shot at building something better.”
Why it matters:
- Reoffending costs the UK £18 billion per year.
- Employment reduces reoffending rates by up to 70%.
- 75% of businesses will not hire ex-offenders.
All profits from XO Bikes go back into hiring and training more prison leavers – keeping them out of prison and on the road to a better future.
Support Freddie’s fundraising campaign: www.justgiving.com/page/freddiepeart
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