Summer of a Lifetime has Started!

A team of 16 year old school leavers from Wolverhampton have just completed the first week of the National Citizens Service, Summer of a Lifetime.


They have just finished an action packed week at Kinver Scout Hutt, near Kidderminster, where they learned all sorts of skills including making shelters, cooking, orienteering, problem solving, leadership and teamwork.


Ten days ago, at the induction day, myself and Irish hurdler, Peter Shallow gave a presentation and helped engage the young people with various activities from designing and creating a team flag to playing football. There was a remarkable change in the confidence and group dynamics throughout the day.


Today they have started the week long 'Community Residential phase' and tomorrow I shall appear as VIP guest, give a talk, question and answer session and to be fed by the young people - eek! I can't wait to get involved again and see the progress they have made so far.


As Midlands Team Leader, I am working alongside elite athletes and v to help 'create chances for young people' and finding it hugely rewarding.


11,000 young people across the UK have the chance to get involved and it really is a great opportunity and will benefit all participants and local communities.

Over £2500 raised for Charity as Luke and Dave Reach John O'Groats!

Thank you so much to Luke and Dave for their epic cycling and to everyone who has supported them along the way.

Luke's said about the journey:
"In the end we took a really lovely route taking in some great spots like Arran, the Mull of Kintyre and the Black Isle and stopping for the wonderful hospitality of various folks and taking a lot of small roads to avoid the busy ones. Despite all that our mileage has not been significantly more than others. I think 870 is the minimum but most take nearer 1000. We took 980. It all worked out swimmingly despite no real planning. And the weather has been on our side nearly all the way, which makes a massive difference of course...
Time for a beer!"













Dave and Luke left Land's End 12 days ago...












And with some careful planning (after setting off)...
















Stunning scenery...
















Only one puncture...


...They have reached John O'Groats!

This amazing challenge and adventure has so far raised £685 for Spinal Research and £1850 for DSUK which will help sponsor sister Anna’s ski racing.

“Thanks all for your amazing support!





Tuesday's diary:
"Cracking day today. Sunny all day. Knocked off 20 Quick miles up to Loch Ness then a nice little climb and long descent to Beauly. After that we had another 20 sunny miles cycling the length of the Black Isle. A great lunch at Cromarty while we waited for the ferry, which we missed but which came back in to pick us up (we were the only passengers) then mostly the busyish A9 to finish along the coast.

"92 Miles in the end bringing is to 980 in total, although my speedo broke yesterday so I'm stuck on 797 miles!”

Luke Turney and Dave Bosomworth reached John O'Groats at 3 o'clock today, in 12 days.

Brother Luke and Dave, you are amazing! Thank you guys so much! I wish I could've joined you but it would take some heavy training for me.

Alan Cook is currently the first handcyclist en route from John O'Groats to Land's End. Good Luck Alan! see http://www.justgiving.com/AlanCookRAB for more info.

Video footage from Scotland

Lovely morning crossing Arran first thing to catch a 9:30 ferry.


More of the same to Tarbert on the Mull of Kintyre for 1st lunch (pic). Spent the rest of the day crisscrossing the Mull of Kintyre to Oban (inc 2nd lunch).


Amazing countryside and good weather too - and a great ad for beautiful Scotland! About 80 miles done today.



Thank you so much to everyone who has donated to the charities. Luke and Dave are cracking on despite saving the hills for the end!

Dave and Luke have reached Scotland!

After a week of cycling from the depths of Cornwall, Luke Turney and Dave Bosomworth have finally reached Scotland, raising a staggering £730 for Disability Snowsport UK to support sister Anna's Alpine Ski Racing career.


"Wow, its stunning up here! Just got to New Galloway for a bowl of soup. Best bit of road yet, fast, empty, sunny and just hilly enough for the scenery to be lovely!"

Luke and Dave are keen mountain bikers at heart, and only decided to take on this challenge last week.


They are working together to minimise wind resistance and trying to go 20 miles without stopping, but as Luke says, it's not a race!


The ride from Kendal to Dumfries was a challenging one and with surroundings like these it is important to take it all in, pick and choose when to stop or take the scenic route.

"Up in the hills of Dumfries and Galloway, cracking!"

They are now on their way to the Isle of Arran.



Apparently the biscuits are good up there!







Route planning!

Half Way! Luke and Dave Fundraising for Spinal Research and Disability Snowsport UK

Luke and Dave make excellent progress up the UK on their bikes... thanks to everyone for your support.

"Finally got to B&B in Kendal. Another 92 miles under the belt, and its getting hillier and harder!

Excellent route today (Thursday) thanks to Fletch's advice about skirting around both major hills and the busiest roads, which is no mean feat, between Manchester and Liverpool and up into east Lancashire."

Half way - assuming it's 1000 total!

Many thanks for your support, your generosity has blown me away. So far the boys have raised a whopping £580 towards next season's ski racing - which will cover a large chunk of pre season training to set me up for the November Europa Cup races - can't wait to get back on snow!

Luke and Dave are also fundraising for Spinal Research who appreciate your support - who knows what the scientists might discover?!




Fletch, thanks for putting the boys up in Knutsford! I still have the lucky fossil you gave me after my accident - and its kept me safe so far, although not always upright.

Keep an eye on the blog for updates!

Luke and Dave Hit the North!

After cycling 110 long miles - further than ever before - from Bristol to Shrewsbury, the boys certainly appreciated cousin Joanna's warm welcome.


I joined the team in Shrewsbury where we enjoyed a 'recovery swim' with Isabelle and Frank, a delicious supper and comfy bed, and a celebratory glass of bubbly!


Dave's bike was fixed (aka bent back into shape) and cousin Sarah joined us for a coffee before the boys headed out in the rain for a 'gentle 60' to Knutsford.


Latest news from Luke and Dave:


"In the industrial North! Crossed the Manchester Ship Canal and Mersey this morning. Now in Preston for lunch. Hopefully quickly to Lancaster after lunch then a climb to Kendal to finish."




Sadly Vanessa could not get time off work to join in the fun - you are missed V! xx



Thank you SO MUCH to all supporters for your generosity and interest! I cannot believe how much they have raised - it will be a huge help to me. I am enjoying being back and working hard in the gym in preparation for winning medals next winter... and onto the Sochi Paralympics!











I saw this sign in the Museum of Iron, Ironbridge, where I had a meeting (and tour) regarding a talk I'm doing for charity up there next month, and thought it rather apt!

85 miles today but easy riding!

Luke's latest update:
Progress good. Got to Bristol 6:30pm over the suspension bridge. Hot sun all afternoon through the Somerset Levels and then Cheddar/Mendips.

Did get forced to ride through a drain on the A38 by some mental old lady who gave me no space and so my lock got thrown out of my bag and run over by a van, but it still just about works.

And ate far too much lunch again, making me slow in the afternoon! Now being looked after far too well by an old work mate and looking forward to a big sleep before tomorrow's 110 miles. Today was 85 but easy riding. Need an early start and some intelligent route planning...

Likely to put on weight if this hospitality continues - Vanessa fed us a roast dinner last night!

Only 733 Miles to go!

Luke and Dave have now left Exeter and aim to reach Bristol tonight (over 80 miles), then Shrewsbury tomorrow night (110 miles).












They are loaded up...

...and equipped with bottom saving cream!



























Luke and Dave are fundraising for both Spinal Research and my ski race training. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, shown an interest and is putting them up en route.

They have raised £220 so far! To donate, click on the title, thank you!

Onwards and upwards boys, only about 733 miles to go before you reach John O'Groats!

I shall be updating the blog with their progress so do keep an eye on it!

Courageous Cyclists make it to Exeter

Brother Luke and friend Dave have covered 130 miles in the last two days, making it from Land's End to Exeter, en route across Britain on an epic journey to John O'Groats.

They are fundraising to help enable me to continue training, on my quest for gold in the 2014 Paralympics, and also for Spinal Research. Click on the title to donate.

Thanks boys, you're doing a fine job! I aim to join them on Tuesday night in Shrewsbury where we'll stay with cousin Joanna and Robin. The intrepid cyclists will have to cycle 110 miles to reach us - no mean feat!

Good luck fellas, peddle hard!

Land's End to John O'Groats

When speaking to my brother Luke last week, he mentioned that he had some time off and thought he might cycle the length of Britain, the next week. He is pretty extreme so I wasn't really surprised. Luckily his equally fit friend, Dave Bosomworth is joining him. They are already en route from Land's End to John O'Groats!

Due to funding cuts, I am struggling to continue to fund ski racing, so you can donate to help raise the £20,000 I'm trying to raise to continue with race training next season and for Spinal Research!

Click on the title to donate or see http://www.justgiving.com/Luke-Turney-LandsEnd

Since breaking my back in 2006 my family and friends have given me so much support and made my rehab and skiing career possible. I will do everything I can to win gold in Sochi 2014!

Thanks so much Lukey, you are amazing! Also thank you to Vanessa for getting them to Land's End, to cousin Joanna and Robin who we aim to spend Tuesday night with in Shrewsbury, and to Flech who they'll stay with further north... with a bit of luck!



Thank you all for your support!

Olympic Park

I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with some of the Young Leaders from the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust London 2012 Young Leaders Programme and Athlete Mentor, Tom Davis (GB Judo). It was great to see some of the West London Young Leaders again, who are getting on really well with the community projects they have designed, prepared and are in the process of running in their local areas. Just click on the title to see the Young Leaders' Blogs.

The bus tour of the Olympic Park was interesting, it is certainly a busy place and, according to LOCOG, developing well to schedule. It is reassuring to hear that there will be a real legacy left and is creating many training and job opportunities. It seems an incredible site... and tickets have been allocated now!

It is a privilege to be involved.


Olympic Stadium
Basketball Arena
Aquatics Centre