John O'Groats to Lands End Charity Tandem Cycle

This August, Jo of Jo Downs Glass and her brother Sam will tandem cycle 874 miles in two weeks from John O’Groats to Lands End to raise funds for the Invictus Trust. In fact they will probably end up at over 1000 miles after visiting each of the Galleries on the way! 

The Invictus Trust is a Cornwall based charity which aims to support and offer services to local teenagers suffering from poor mental health and associated issues. The trust was established by the Cowburn family in 2010 in memory of their son and brother Ben, who took his own life aged just 18 after a short period of mental illness. Led and driven by young people, the trust aims to raise awareness of teenage mental health issues through events, campaigns and social media, and by giving talks in schools about adolescent mental well being.

Crucially, the Trust has been lobbying for a dedicated adolescent mental health unit to be built in Cornwall, as there are currently no facilities for under 18s in the county, meaning young patients are separated from their families and sent as far as Manchester or Kent for treatment. In response to this issue, the Invictus Anchor Fund was set up to offer support to affected families by helping with travel expenses and other costs. After six year of campaigning by the Invictus Trust, the NHS have been granted £5 million to build an innovative mental health unit right here in Cornwall that aims to be the first in the country specifically designed to care for 13 to 25-year-olds. The Invictus Trust are currently working hard to make it truly fit for purpose, and as part of their fundraising efforts, they have attracted the support of Jo and her brother Sam. From 3rd to 17th August, Jo and Sam will be cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End, raising awareness of teenage mental health issues and heading up a drive to raise £3000 additional funds for the Invictus Trust and its Cornwall based projects.

Jo says: “I have been directly involved with teenagers with mental health issues, which is how the Invictus Trust and its brilliant work came to my attention. In addition, Sam and I both have teenage children of our own, and like all parents we are aware of the importance of good mental health at this age, and throughout adulthood. We are pleased to be able to support the Invictus Trust, and are really looking forward to the challenge, and to raising essential funds for adolescent mental health support in Cornwall”.

The event is being sponsored by Cornwall’s Clive Mitchell cycles, who have donated expert cycling kit and equipment, and by Elixir Health Foods of Wadebridge, who have supplied a perfectly balanced nutrition plan that will help Jo and Sam achieve the 5000 calories a day they will each require to meet their energy needs.

Please support us You can support Jo and Sam’s John O’Groats to Lands End tandem cycle for the Invictus Trust by buying raffle tickets at any of Jo Downs Handmade Glass Galleries from mid July, and by donating online at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JoandSamDowns. You can also support the Invictus Trust directly by donating, or by purchasing Invictus T Shirts and bracelets at www.invictustrust.co.uk. Every penny raised goes directly to Invictus Trust projects.

Follow the run up and actual journey on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds fom early June using #JDJOGLE

6 Weeks to Go! - Big thank you to all the team at Clive Mitchell Cycles at Summercourt for servicing the 20 year old tandem and sorting Jo and Sam out with properly fitting saddles! The wealth of knowledge and experience of the staff have already helped with training and planning for the epic journey.