TWO friends from Greater Manchester have embarked on an extraordinary 3,300km cycling journey from Amsterdam to Athens.
Sam Webb and Jimmy Drent have been raising funds and awareness for Tameside, Oldham and Glossop (TOG) Mind.
The pair – who have friends and connections in Tameside – set off on August 31 for the 46-day challenge, which is due to finish around Sunday, October 19.
Despite neither being seasoned cyclists, the pair have powered through Europe’s varied terrains in aid of the local mental health charity, raising over £2,600 of their £3,300 target so far.
Sam said: “Neither of us are cyclists but Jimmy’s had this route three years in the making, despite only buying his first bike two months before we set off.
“TOG Mind does really incredible work providing support to people in the community who need it most. Despite this, they’re underfunded compared to the rest of Manchester and in need of help.
“The reason I chose TOG Mind was because people in my life have suffered some tough times with mental health, so I wanted to find a local charity I could fundraise for and TOG Mind was recommended by friends.”
Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind provides vital therapeutic services and wellbeing activities across the community, promoting and safeguarding mental health for those who need it most.
Karen Sharples, from TOG Mind, said: “We cannot thank Sam and Jimmy enough for this amazing activity they have undertaken to raise the much-needed funds for our charity, which helps us to continue to provide our vital services to the local community.
“The sheer work they have been putting in to cycle such a distance through different terrains and challenges is remarkable, and we are just very grateful for what they are doing.”
Donations can still be made via the pair’s JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/samjimmyamsterdamtoathens