May 2021

One of our generous team members is set to cycle the length of Lancashire to raise funds for our charity and in honour of a workmate.

Lucy Bailey is hoping to raise money for two causes close to her heart – Rosemere Cancer Centre, the unit caring for one of her colleagues, and our own charity.

The mother-of-two says her work as a Housing & Employability Coordinator – supporting ex-offenders in the community to reduce reoffending rates – first inspired her efforts. And after learning of the care being given to her colleague, Ray Ward, by the team in Rosemere at Royal Preston Hospital, she decided to split the funds raised.

She will cycle more than 30 miles on June 12, from HMP Lancaster Farms, where Ray usually works, to HMP Wymott, near Leyland, and will be joined by four of her colleagues.

She said: “I wanted to challenge myself after a year in lockdown. And it’s been a tough year for our charity so I wanted to do something to support it as well. This gives me something to work towards and also a way to give back.”

Like many charities, we have been faced with setbacks since the start of the pandemic, particularly when our prison-based recycling workshops were forced to closed during lockdowns. This not only halted our core income stream but made Lucy and her colleagues’ jobs – mentoring offenders to rebuild their lives and not return to prison – more challenging.

Lucy added: “I was keen to cycle a good distance and link it to the charity’s work so decided I’d go between two of our prisons. HMP Lancaster Farms is where Ray has worked for years and thinking about what he’s going through, I wanted to support the people who are caring for him as well. Ray’s an amazing character so it’s nice to give something back for a really valued colleague.”

Ray – an award-winning and much-loved member of the team, who mentors offenders still in custody – is being cared for by nurses at Rosemere Cancer Centre after being taken ill in January.

Chief executive Alasdair Jackson said: “We’re all really proud of Lucy at the best of times – she’s a wonderful lady who gives so much to support the men and women we work with – so we’re really pleased she wants to do this to support our work even further.”

The funds raised will support the delivery of our three programmes, which reduce reoffending, tackle homelessness and feed communities.

To support Lucy, please make a donation via: https://gofund.me/bc0b7765