Stuart Barnes

"Fresh" from last years successful fundraising cycle ride in Mexico I am setting off again in 2011 to raise more valuable funds for Zac's (The Sycamore Project), this time to Mount Kenya and the Rift Valley. As the organisation celebrates it's 10th anniversary we can look back on some tough times but also on loads and loads of good stuff. 10 yeas ago there was me and an empty building, now there are three projects, 20 staff, dozens of volunteers and most importantly hundreds of young people coming in and benefitting from the wide range of activities and services we offer. Unfortunately we still have to raise the funds we need every week to keep Zac's open and developing so to mark the 10th anniversary I am aiming to raise an extra £10,000 this year to help make more of a difference to the lives of the young people in Farnworth, Little Lever and Kearsley.

If you are not familiar with our work then basically; back in 2000 we bought an old pub in Farnworth (Bolton) and opened it as... more

"Fresh" from last years successful fundraising cycle ride in Mexico I am setting off again in 2011 to raise more valuable funds for Zac's (The Sycamore Project), this time to Mount Kenya and the Rift Valley. As the organisation celebrates it's 10th anniversary we can look back on some tough times but also on loads and loads of good stuff. 10 yeas ago there was me and an empty building, now there are three projects, 20 staff, dozens of volunteers and most importantly hundreds of young people coming in and benefitting from the wide range of activities and services we offer. Unfortunately we still have to raise the funds we need every week to keep Zac's open and developing so to mark the 10th anniversary I am aiming to raise an extra £10,000 this year to help make more of a difference to the lives of the young people in Farnworth, Little Lever and Kearsley.

If you are not familiar with our work then basically; back in 2000 we bought an old pub in Farnworth (Bolton) and opened it as Zac's Youth Bar, an alcohol free bar for young people. With pool, games consoles, music, our own range of alcohol free cocktails and more it soon became very popular with local young people. Over the years we have developed our work introducing; after school clubs, holiday activities, sports, mentoring and one to one support, community action, work in schools and projects with the local Asian community. We are now also one of the biggest providers of recreational activities in Bolton for young people with special needs. We also have a mobile bar and are are now working in two new areas, Little Lever and Kearsley, where we are hoping to open new buildings in the next year.

Zac's, however, is about much more than just providing activities for young people. We believe, that whilst worthwhile, simply providing recreation and a venue to socialize does not necessarily have long-term benefits, and we therefore seek to engage young people in constructive activities, encouraging positive and lasting changes in attitude and behaviour. This we do through our wide range of activities and a relationship based approach to working, including the provision of one to one support. All of our sessions, for example are planned to facilitate the personal development of young people as well as provide enjoyment.

So, please sponsor me anything you can manage to help maintain and develop the work at Zac's. And don't forget, 100% of sponsorship will support the work, NONE will be used towards the cost of the cycle challenge.