Terry’s pedal power raises £2,500 for alcoHELP

04 February 2014

A charity trustee has raised £2,500 by cycling a staggering 500 kilometres across Central America.

Terry Martin took on the challenge to raise funds for alcoHELP, the alcohol education charity, which teaches children and young people across Essex about the dangers of alcohol.

Terry’s epic cycle ride started in Panama, before travelling through Costa Rica and Nicaragua. The route took him across banana and pineapple plantations, along the Caribbean coast, through rainforests and past smoking volcanos. The diverse terrain also offered the opportunity to see a variety of wildlife including many species of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects.

Terry said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored me for cycling across Central America. The trip was tough and at times we were cycling in 100 degree heat and monsoon rains, and off-road along steep mountainous off road climbs. But, it was a great experience; meeting local people and learning about their culture as well as getting to see some amazing scenery.

“It was all worth it to raise this fantastic amount of money for alcoHELP, which will help us to continue our work across Essex, including expanding our volunteer programme so that we can educate more young people about the dangers of alcohol.”

This is not the first cycle ride Terry has tackled to fundraise for alcoHELP, he has also completed trips in the Far East, Asia and Africa, as well as London to Brighton and London to Paris.

The team at alcoHELP are also celebrating receiving a grant from The Prince’s Trust that will also be used to fund the continuation of the volunteer programme.

alcoHELP’s Choices for Life alcohol awareness programme aims to help children and young people better understand the dangers of alcohol, through education on how harmful the drug can be.

Studies show that better-informed children and young people make better decisions, and this impacts on their quality of life, health and well-being. Making better choices about alcohol means that they are less likely to be involved in accidents, have health issues and miss school or college.