Positive Steps

Thanks to your incredible support, we were able to launch a brand new six-week program this summer – Bike and Unite – and we’re thrilled to share how it’s gone so far!

The program kicked off in June at the Lee Valley Cycle Park, where 18 young people took part – 7 under 18s and 11 over 18s. Each young person received a brand new bike (sized and fitted just for them), a helmet, and a lock to keep it safe. For many, this was their first time back on a bike since treatment. As you may know, cancer takes a serious toll on young people’s physical health – especially their core strength, balance, and confidence – so simply getting back in the saddle was a huge milestone.

They weren’t alone on the journey. They were joined by James, one of our incredible Alumni, who first came to Teens Unite as a teenager diagnosed with cancer. Gifted a bike years ago himself, James has since completed overseas cycling challenges to raise money for Teens Unite. He was a true inspiration to the group. Alongside James, British Cycling coach Asma Amla played a key role in rebuilding the young people’s cycling confidence through simple, structured tasks. By the end of Day One, they were riding full circuits of the track!

But this wasn’t a one-off event – it’s a six-week challenge. Each week, our young riders were given a fun cycling task designed to keep them moving and motivated. These included:

• Ride until you see a red door
• Take a friend along for the ride
• Snap a selfie in an unusual location
• Capture 5 items of the same colour
• Spot and photograph animals on your route
• Take a before-and-after selfie on your final ride

The energy and commitment from the group have been incredible. To round off the program, each young person has now been invited to take on a personal fundraising challenge, with a goal of raising £20 by 10th August to help more young people benefit from programs like this.

So far, they’ve cycled 363 miles and raised £630 – and we know there’s more to come! Some are planning 20-mile rides with a parent, while others are getting sponsored for cycling laps of a local field. Our team has been cheering them on with weekly accountability calls and encouraging peer support through social media.

We’ll be celebrating their achievements together at a special Digital Celebration in August, complete with fun awards and shoutouts.

Your donation has helped give young people affected by cancer the confidence to move forward – literally and figuratively. Thank you for being part of their journey.