Mount Ventoux challenge

Next week, one of our longer standing patients – Patrick Foster – will attempt to cycle up Mount Ventoux not just once, but three times in 24 hours, climbing over 12,000ft and riding 130km.  Patrick is 63 years old, and continues to get stronger and fitter.  Over the past 10 years he has suffered cartilage damage to his knee , torn shoulder tendons, developed an arthritic big toe, and suffered a few other bumps and bruises along the way. However through hard work and good rehabilitation he has come out fitter than ever and epitomises perfectly what we believe in. – the importance of getting active and staying active.

Patrick is a fellow trustee of Inside Out – a prisoner mentoring program that drastically reduces reoffending rates – so we want to support his fundraising goals and raise awareness of this amazing challenge and the good that it will do.

This iconic mountain is the ultimate test for Tour de France competitors.  Our valiant trio has put in many miles of training over the last six months aiming to raise money for Inside Out, a small but dynamic charity that is making a real difference on the ground.

Inside Out – what they do

Through mentoring both inside and outside HMP Wormwood Scrubs, Inside Out’s volunteers support prisoners to get their lives back on track so they don’t re-offend and end up back in prison.

Inside Out – making a difference

Prisoners who are mentored by Inside Out are far less likely to re-offend.  On average, 60% of prisoners will go on to commit further crimes and return to prison within 2 years.  For those prisoners who are mentored by Inside Out that number declines to 25%*.   That means less crime safer communities and huge savings (keeping one person in prison costs £34,000 a year*).

Can you help?

Inside Out keeps costs to the absolute minimum.  It has 1 full-time and 3 part-time paid staff that work inside the prison.  Everyone else gives their time and expertise for free.   We need to raise £60,000 per annum to sustain this level of support to those prisoners who want to transform their lives,

Please help us by donating via our website www.insideoutmentor.org or  through Virgin Money Giving http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charities/insideout.

Find out more about cycling up Mount Ventoux at www.clubcinglesventoux.org/en.html

*Source: Ministry of Justice 2014  Inside Out is registered charity 1151592