Three Pie Factory Music youth workers will cycle 240 miles in a bid to raise funds to save the charity’s Ramsgate base.
Connor Moodie, Jeff Adkins and Luis Dawber will cycle the coast to coast route from Portishead to Ramsgate in five days from June 5-9. The aim is also to raise awareness of the critical decline in dedicated spaces for young people.
The clock is ticking to save Ramsgate Youth Centre. Since last September, Pie Factory Music has fought Kent County Council’s plan to sell its HQ, which is a listed asset of community value.
Having had two bids to buy the building rejected by the council, the charity is now doing everything it can to have the decision to dispose of the building reconsidered by the new administration in the hope that it can be saved for future generations of young people in Ramsgate and beyond.
The ‘Piecycle Challenge’ will bring the fight to save the youth centre to life with each turn of the bicycle pedals.
Along the 240-mile route Connor, Jeff and Luis will visit youth clubs in each county they travel through to spotlight just how vital these services are. They’ll meet fellow youth workers and young people to hear about the positive impact a youth centre has on their lives.
The challenge will end with a celebratory homecoming party at Ramsgate Youth Centre, which is open to all, on Monday 9th June from 5pm. The cyclists will be met on their return with live music from Pie’s Emerging Artists, food, drink and much-needed leg massages!
More than 1,000 young people attend Pie annually on average with participants describing the youth centre as a “safe haven”, their “second home” and a place to “make a fresh start”, “make friends” and “find freedom”.
Without this space, the charity’s current provision of positive and diversionary activities and creative opportunities for young people will significantly decrease or stop, as they will be made to find alternative premises.
Zoë Carassik, CEO of Pie Factory Music said: “We’re at a critical point in our campaign to save Ramsgate Youth Centre. This has been a purpose-built space to support Thanet’s young people since 1969.
“Without it, there will be no dedicated space in Thanet for young people to turn to, at a time when they need it the most. I am truly inspired by my teammates, who have created the Piecycle Coast-to-Coast Challenge off their own backs to raise funds and awareness.
“We’re asking our community to support Connor, Jeff and Luis on their journey – please donate, send messages of support, meet them at key pitstops – it’ll show young people in Thanet that people care and that we believe they deserve better.”
Pie’s youth workers Connor, Jeff and Luis say: “We’re passionate about youth work and love cycling. We run Pie’s crime prevention Bike Project initiative that equips young people with the skills and independence to ride, fix and maintain bicycles. It’s been a tough fight to save our youth centre, so with summer on the horizon, we’re channelling our passion into action.
“We’ve been pushing our limits, training hard, and are ready to take on some mega pedal power to raise £2,000 and awareness of our cause. We know times are tough for many, but anything you can give to offer the young people of Thanet hope right now is so appreciated.”
Last September, The Isle of Thanet News revealed that the youth charity discovered KCC’s plan to ‘dispose’ of the Ramsgate Youth Centre, which has been Pie’s headquarters since 2013.
A notice of intention to sell the building in St Lawrence High Street, which was listed as an asset of community value in 2022, was received by Thanet council.
The disposal is part of KCC’s efforts to balance its budget by delivering £108.8m savings over the next two years.
The sale had been postponed until after the May 1 election. Pie Factory supporters have appealed for a U-turn on the decision.
To support Pie Factory Music’s Piecycle Challenge visit www.justgiving.com/page/piecycle-challenge. Follow their journey on Instagram
To write to your elected Kent County Council Member asking them to reverse the decision, go to: www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/how-the-council-works/county-councillors
I’ll donate if Zoë cycles too.
Wild how one comment with inappropriate language was deleted but the other (creepier, grosser) one was left.
Pervy old men notwithstanding, Pie Factory is great and I wish these fellas all the best!
What’s creepy and gross in suggesting that the person in charge of this place actually gets off of her bum and raises money with them?? Surely this would get far more publicity than just leaving it to others? I was doing regular charity cycle rides well into my 50s, raising literally thousands over the years, and I’m sure she’s younger than that.
Anyway, there’s £50 in it if she rises to the challenge. Take it or leave it.
Anyway, Ian, why aren’t YOU joining them? Or is that “creepy and gross” too?
You’ve a lot to say about what people aren’t doing. The tone of your initial message was clear as is the hollow offer of a donation.
She has my word.
Meanwhile, you criticise me for being (a) male, and (b) old. Would you have got so vexed if a young woman had suggested she joins them?
Anyway, must go out and keep my fitness up. Nice weather for cycling! Try it yourself.
Still no donation though.
Whataboutery means nothing.. you are a creep (see also: pervy self-published photo book) and you setting criteria for a donation to the one woman mentioned, evidences my point.
Why would I give money for no effort whatsoever? Would you have given me money for a cycle ride to raise money for Pilgrims Hospice and British Heart Foundation (my main charities of choice over the years) if I sat indoors? One suspects not.
And… you mean the two books (not “book”) that quickly earnt me nearly £5,000 during a few months of Lockdown, much of which I donated to charity?
Of course, if you don’t like my books, you can send me money for them, and then I’ll get the money for nothing. You obviously think that’s OK.
Last week Peter, you were against Pie Factory even being in existence claiming you’d rather keep a bus service than help a youth service which has been starved of cash by KCC. Now we’ve got the Monster Raving Loony party alias Reform in charge you can kiss that one goodbye. But don’t worry Peter old Farridge is a man of the people he’s right up your street!!
“against Pie Factory even being in existence” or believing that local bus services should be a priority? They’re two very different things.
But I’ve nothing against anyone wanting to raise money via charity events for things they believe in. It just seems that the person in charge of this doesn’t believe in it enough to join them. Think how much publicity it would get if she did a sponsored cycle/walk/diet/etc (I would say haircut, but that ship has sailed!).