Campaigning charity worker undertakes London-to-Jarrow charity bike ride to draw attention to youth poverty

Paul Trowsdale, special advisor to the All-Party UK Parliament commission – which looks at the root causes and impacts of youth violence, among other issues - carried out the 280-mile cycle route in order to draw attention to youth poverty, as well as to provide support for the Damilola Taylor Trust.

The charity worker and researcher ended his journey in South Tyneside, where he aimed to highlight the impacts of poverty among young people – with funds raised from the initiative going towards the trust established in memory of the then-10-year-old whose killing in November 2000 brought youth violence to the centre of the national agenda.

Finishing at the Jarrow Crusade statue, near the town’s Morrisons supermarket, Mr Trowsdale met staff from Big Local Central Jarrow, Cllr Paul Milburn and youth workers from YMCA North Tyneside.

The North Tyneside YMCA youth and play manager, Don Irving, explained that Mr Trowsdale was trying to pay tribute to the Jarrow Marchers by recreating their return journey through his cycle route.

“Of course in central Jarrow, like in the rest of South Tyneside, youth services have been decimated over recent years, which is partly why we’re seeing more young people hanging around the streets,” he said.

As of last year, more than a quarter of children were found to be living in relative poverty, meaning the borough then had the worst child poverty rates across the North East.

Mr Trowsdale said he is hoping his bike ride initiative will have the effect of raising awareness around poverty and youth unemployment not only in the borough, but more widely across the UK.

Speaking about his charity cycle route, he said: “If we invest in young people and truly help our poorest communities level up, then there is hope for the future.

"Nobody needs to be left behind”.

Speaking about Mr Trowsdale’s visit, Don Irving from the YMCA, also said: 'it was a real pleasure to welcome Gary to Jarrow.

"He truly is an inspiration and we look forward to involving local young people in next years Day of Hope event.”

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