This year ORIGIN embarked on a London to Paris bike ride to raise funds for the programme. None of the mentors/volunteers had ever done anything like this before and 9 of the 10 were complete novices to cycling.
The group established TeamORIGIN. They had to secure bikes and kit, get in excellent physical condition, and to raise £6,000 for the organisation. We secured sponsorship from GLL BETTER and TeamORIGIN spent approximately 4 months preparing for a 244 mile ordeal.
TeamORIGIN knew that public engagement was crucial to overall success, so the team organised a number of themed public events:
- Run with us (x2)
- Ride with us (x1)
- Spin with us sessions (x2)
The intense training camp led by Adisa (a.k.a Captain Africa) included long rides on the road (for example London to Southend-on-Sea) and tough sessions in the gym.
ITV evening news (6pm), The Voice Newspaper, The South London Press, Afro Culture Blog, numerous networks and community organisations reported on this.
On Friday 31st May 2019 at 6am, the cyclists (and 2 support team members) left New Initiatives in Stockwell, and by 9pm that same day the group arrived in France. On Sunday 2nd of June we completed our mission and celebrated our success at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
In terms of fundraising, we achieved the £6,000 fundraising target two weeks before leaving for Paris. We are extremely proud to report having secured approximately £13,500. We’re now hooked and considering… what next!
The community gathered at New Initiatives on Sunday the 9th June to welcome the cyclists back from their adventure. Not only was it a tremendous success for fundraising, for the cyclists this was transformative in so many ways.
The team consisted of Brothers Adisa, Tokunbo (Second in Command), Dipo, Patrick, Pablo, Everol, Kasim, Garry, Abdul and Mutada with Neil and Roger in support. What a team and what a statement of Brotherhood.
At the Return Celebration, Brother Garry’s story is most memorable. Gary spoke of when we arrived in Paris. He saw a young Black boy in a car, who had a look of complete surprise on his face when he saw us. He just couldn’t take his eyes off the cyclists, as he looked down the line at Black men when we were in traffic. Garry spoke about when he locked onto the boys gaze and the young man responded with a Black Power salute. That, Bro G said, is what this trip was all about. A moment that he will never forget.
From all of this you could easily forget that this started as a crazy fundraising idea. The Return Celebration raised a further £400 and funds continue to come in. So far we are over £13,500. What an achievement! Check it out https://uk.gofundme.com/brothers-in-paris-origin
The positive energy generated from this event will propel us forward for some time to come.
#LetTheCircleRemainUnbroken
#InvestInOurBoys
#BrothersInParis
#TrainWeMust
#ChickenLegMustDie
#TeamORIGIN
#ORIGIN4Life
ORIGIN 
This is a wonderful initiative by team origin. To also learn that they were not ardent cyclist. Well done guys and girls along with the support personel. Kudos to you all.