Newcastle University student to cycle from Manchester to Newcastle to raise funds for live music venue

Ben Reid will be cycling from Manchester to Newcastle on a child’s bike, complete with stabilisers, to raise funds for Cobalt Studios.

Cobalt Studios is a not for profit, community venue in Newcastle that offers a home for artists of live music, educational events and club nights.

Ben, who recently completed his degree at Newcastle University, will set off on the 148-mile ride from Manchester on July 30 and is hoping to hit 40 miles a day, arriving in Newcastle by approximately August 3.

Ben said: “I’m doing it for Cobalt because it’s given me a lot in the last three years.

“I wanted other people who come to university in Newcastle to be able to have a chance to experience the same things that I have – because it’s magic.

“When I got wind of how delicate the finances were I wanted to help, this place has got too much to offer culturally for it to be lost to the cost of living crisis or the crisis of all the venues closing down.”

Kate Hodgkinson, Cobalt Studios founder & creative director said: “Running Cobalt has never been particularly easy but year on year it gets harder and harder.

“The cost of living crisis combined with the impact of Covid-19 and the rising cost of everything else is just a daily challenge.

“Despite the challenges we passionately believe that our direct community and the wider music and arts community really benefit from spaces like this.

“Many small venues, Cobalt included, also offer education opportunities as well as being a bedrock for the music industry.

“For many they are also places of positive mental health, learning and connection.

“Capitalism leaves no room for these projects, and we need to fight hard to protect them across the UK.

“We are beyond grateful that Ben is doing this ride for us, we will support him as much as we can, and we ask that people along the way also do the same.”

Learn more or donate at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/helpforcobalt

Learn about Colbalt Studio’s social and cultural impact here.