Press Release
24 / 05 / 19
Support our fundraising John O'Groats to Lands End cycle for teenage mental health
Image: Sister and brother Jo and Sam Downs prepare for their 874 mile tandem cycle for Cornwall's Invictus Trust
This August, Launceston based designer Jo Downs and her brother Sam will tandem cycle 874 miles in two weeks from John O'Groats to Lands End to raise funds for the Invictus Trust. The Invictus Trust is a Cornwall based charity which aims to support and offer services to local teenagers suffering from poor mental health and associated issues. The trust was established by the Cowburn family in 2010 in memory of their son and brother Ben, who took his own life aged just 18 after a short period of mental illness. Led and driven by young people, the trust aims to raise awareness of teenage mental health issues through events, campaigns and social media, and by giving talks in schools about adolescent mental wellbeing.
Crucially, the Trust has been lobbying for a dedicated adolescent mental health unit to be built in Cornwall, as there are currently no facilities for under 18s in the county, meaning young patients are separated from their families and sent as far as Manchester or Kent for treatment. In response to this issue, the Invictus Anchor Fund was set up to offer support to affected families by helping with travel expenses and other costs.
After six year of campaigning by the Invictus Trust, the NHS have been granted £11 million to build an innovative mental health unit right here in Cornwall. The unit will open this summer with 14 beds for 13 to 18-year-olds, but Invictus continue their campaign to ensure the unit offers care that covers the whole adolescent phase from 13 to 25. The Invictus Trust are currently working hard to make the unit truly fit for purpose, and to extend to the upper age-range in the hope that it will be the first unit of its kind in the country.
As part of their fundraising efforts, Invictus have attracted the support of Launceston based glass designer Jo Downs and her brother Sam. From 3rd to 17th August, Jo and Sam will be cycling from John O'Groats to Lands End, raising awareness of teenage mental health issues and attempting to raise £4,000 for the Invictus Trust and its projects.
Jo Downs says: "I have been directly involved with teenagers with mental health issues, which is how the Invictus Trust and its brilliant work came to my attention. In addition, Sam and I both have teenage children of our own, and like all parents we are aware of the importance of good mental health at this age, and throughout adulthood. We are pleased to be able to support the Invictus Trust, and are really looking forward to the challenge, and to raising essential funds for adolescent mental health support in Cornwall".
The event is being sponsored by Cornwall's Clive Mitchell Cycles, who have donated expert cycling kit and equipment and will be servicing the tandem bike, and by Elixir Health Foods of Wadebridge, who have supplied a perfectly balanced nutrition plan that will help Jo and Sam achieve the 5000 calories a day they will each require to meet their energy needs.
Please support us
You can support Jo and Sam's John O'Groats to Lands End tandem cycle for the Invictus Trust by buying raffle tickets at any of Jo Downs Handmade Glass Galleries from Friday 20th July, and by donating online at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JoandSamDowns. You can also support the Invictus Trust directly by donating, or by purchasing Invictus T Shirts and bracelets at www.invictustrust.co.uk. Every penny raised goes directly to Invictus Trust projects.
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Print Ready 300dpi images for press use:
Jo & Sam Downs prepare for their JOGLE event
Notes for Editors:
The Invictus Trust
The Invictus Trust was set up in January 2010 and is dedicated to the memory of Ben Cowburn, a wonderfully vibrant young man whose struggle with mental health issues had tragic consequences. We are a small charity which aims to support and offer services to local teenagers who are suffering from poor mental health and associated issues. We use all funds raised to help with:
Information
Supplying easy to understand on-line information regarding mental health terminology. Our web based Mental Health Portal directs to other excellent websites and sources of information including the 3 Invictus films. We offer plastic Invictus cards to all young people as a keepsake with our website address on it.
Campaigning
Having successfully campaigned for the very first Adolescent Mental Health Unit for Cornwall, the Invictus Trust continue their campaign to ensure the unit offers care that covers the whole adolescent phase from 13 to 25. This will make the unit the first of its kind in the country.
Fundraising
Amongst its projects, Invictus is currently funding a Virtual Reality project, in partnership with Falmouth University, which will offer patients anxiety-reducing experiences.
Invictus is also a founding and funding partner of Cornwall Recovery College.
All funds raised are spent on mental health support projects, raising awareness and campaigning. No-one receives any remuneration for their efforts. The Invictus Trust is a registered charity. Charity number 1143954.
Jo Downs Handmade Glass
One of the world's most prominent fused glass artists, British designer Jo Downs' handcrafted work is inspired by the coastal setting of Cornwall where she lives and works. Jo's range of beautiful glassware includes hangings, bowls and mirrors alongside her much sought after statement interior pieces such as wall panels and art frames.
Jo has also developed her studio to undertake large interior projects. Her innovative designs have earned her hundreds of private commissions, producing fused glass windows, mirrors, wall panels and other artworks for homes, hotels and corporate headquarters around the world.
Jo Downs galleries can be found in Ripley, Surrey, and in Cornwall at Market Place St Ives, Middle Street Padstow, Fore Street Fowey, Fore Street Tintagel and at her Launceston studio, where you can also see Jo and her team at work.
You can find Jo's working studio and gallery at Unit 27g, Pennygillam Way, Pennygillam, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 7ED, tel: 01566 779779. The studio and gallery are open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, and the gallery on Saturdays 9am - 5pm. Other galleries at: Market House, Market Place, St Ives, TR26 1RZ. Tel: 01736 797722 / Middle Street, Padstow, PL28 8AP.Tel: 01841 533854 / Fore Street, Fowey, PL23 1AH. Tel: 01726 832005 / Fore Street, Tintagel, PL34 0DB. Tel: 01840 770954 / High Street, Ripley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6AY. Tel: 01483 225742. You can also see and buy Jo's work online atwww.jodowns.com
For press information, additional images or samples contact Mercedes at Fine Art Communications director@fineartcommunications.co.uk / Tel 07825 270235/www.fineartcommunications.co.uk
