Trainees get on their bikes for charity

Six trainees from Newcastle law firm Sintons are doing the 140-mile Coast to Coast challenge in July, cycling from Whitehaven to Tynemouth in aid of the If U Care Share Foundation.

The County Durham-based charity promotes and supports emotional wellbeing in young people, and offers specialist help to those affected by suicide. It was founded by the family of Daniel O’Hare, from Great Lumley, who took his own life aged only 19.

Daniel had never shown any signs of being troubled and had no history of mental health problems, so his mother Shirley, together with brothers Matthew and Ben, and cousin Sarah, founded If U Care Share as a resource for other young people.

The event itself is even more poignant as the team cycle over what would have been Daniel’s 31st birthday.

The Sintons trainees – Georgina Davison, Kate Duffield, Andrew Noble, Laura Tennet, Jonathan Tutu and Ria Wilkinson – have pledged to raise at least £1,200 for the charity. As well as their Coast to Coast bike ride, a series of fundraising events are being held in Sintons, including a dress-down day, bake sale and a strawberries and cream event to coincide with Wimbledon.

Shirley Smith, Daniel’s mother and founder and development manager for the charity, said:  “We are so grateful for the support of the Sintons trainees and wish them all the best. Their fundraising efforts will help us to continue to save lives, support communities and prevent suicide across the North East. ”

Laura Tennet from Sintons said: “For many of us, doing the Coast to Coast is something that is completely out of our comfort zone. I didn’t even have a bike before this and I’m certainly not an experienced cyclist, so to ride for 140 miles is a genuinely big challenge for me.

“As well as this being a great team building experience for the whole trainee group, we are determined to do our best to raise as much money, and as much awareness as we can, for this fantastic charity. We had considered a number of charities, but we were all really touched by If U Care Share – after such tragedy, Daniel’s family are helping so many other young people and families, and we are really pleased to be able to support their efforts.”

To donate, please visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/sintonsnewcastle1