Press Release
06 / 09 / 19
Tandem Cycle Raises Thousands for Teenage Mental Health in Cornwall
Image: Sister and brother Jo and Sam Downs complete their thousand-mile tandem cycle for Cornwall's Invictus Trust
Local businesswoman and designer Jo Downs and her brother Sam have successfully completed their 1000 mile tandem cycle in support of Cornwall's Invictus Trust for Teenage Mental Health. During the fortnight of storms that swept across the UK between 3rd and 17th August, Jo and Sam battled heavy weather to complete their epic cycle from John O'Groats to Land's End, raising over £5,000 for the Invictus Trust, a Cornwall based charity which aims to support teenagers suffering from poor mental health and associated issues. 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. After six year of campaigning by the Invictus Trust, the NHS were granted £11 million to build an innovative mental health unit in Bodmin, Cornwall. The unit opened this August 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.
Jo Downs says: "We are so proud to have completed the cycle, and absolutely thrilled to have exceeded our target and raised £5,000 for the Invictus Trust. Sam and I are both parents of teenagers and know the vital importance of good mental health at this age. The Invictus Trust is working hard to raise essential funds for adolescent mental health support in Cornwall, and thanks to the generosity of our sponsors we are pleased to be able to support their brilliant work. The cycle was tough at times, but we had a great team backing us up, including Truro's brilliant Clive Mitchell cycles, who donated our cycling kit and equipment, and Elixir Health Foods in Wadebridge, who created our 14 day nutrition plan."
Support the Invictus Trust
You can still support Jo and Sam's tandem cycle for the Invictus Trust 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 and Sam complete their 1000 mile cycle
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 contact Mercedes at Fine Art Communications director@fineartcommunications.co.uk / Tel 07825 270235/www.fineartcommunications.co.uk
