Brian’s farewell speech as chairman

“Just Ride is six years old this month. In reality seven as it took a year to get up and running. I’ve been around since the start as Chair of the Trustees and a session leader. The time has come for me to move onto other projects. I leave at a strange time in all our lives, but hopefully one in which we will all be able to find a way of enjoying life to the best of our abilities.

I want to take this opportunity to say what an absolute privilege it has been to work with the most inspiring volunteers I’ve ever met. Your kindness and thoughtfulness have been outstanding. As with all of us who are human I occasionally have a down day and feel sorry for myself. Five minutes in the company of so many good people and I include all our users here serves to put a huge smile on my face.

Thank you to everyone I encountered over these seven years, you have made my life really worth living and I hope to be able to count you all as friends in times to come.”

Wishing you the best of luck Brian, you will be missed! Thank you so much for all your hard work and dedication, we wouldn’t be here today without you. 🚴‍♂️❤️

36121379_2066049566993606_5786131519709904896_o

August 18, 2020 0

FURTHER UPDATE 25th July 2020

Please read below message from Fusion:

“Following the government announcement that leisure centres may reopen, we have been analysing the safety and financial challenges ahead. The Covid crisis has had a huge financial impact on the sector and UKactive have confirmed that projected footfall and income will be significantly down over the next year, whilst operating within the new guidelines.

We are working with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council to look at the options for a phased return of leisure centre provision, but we do not expect all activities at all facilities to resume immediately. At this stage Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre will not be opening on the 25th July. However, please be assured, we are working closely with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council to assess the situation and will bring you news as soon as possible. We know your leisure facilities are really important for your health and well-being and we want them open again as soon as they are safe and viable, so we hope that you will bear with us during this time.”

Just Ride Southend will be unable to go ahead with any sessions. As soon as we know more we will update you all. We thank everyone for their ongoing support and hope to see you again very soon. ❤️🚴‍♂️

July 25, 2020 0

Update – 24th June 2020

Hi Everyone,

We would just like to give you another quick update.

We are still unsure as to when the centre will officially open again and unfortunately until this happens we have no choice but to remain close.

Without the centre we do not have any access to water or toilet facilities.

We have had many discussions and will ensure a safe plan is in place for when we resume. As soon as we have any new details we will update you.

In the meantime thank you all for your continued support and patience, we look forward to seeing you at the track, hopefully soon. ❤️🚴‍♂️

June 24, 2020 0

Time Flies!

Wow, can you believe it? It’s been a whole year since we completed our Just Ride Southend to Manchester cycle!

This was such an amazing achievement that we all look back on with such wonderful and maybe slightly painful memories (for the cyclists!)

For those of you who might not have known us this time last year, volunteers of JRS cycled from Southend to Manchester in a day to raise money. The trip was a total of 250 miles in one day as a relay team, although a few cyclist completed the entire distance!

Our riders included three tandems as well as solo riders, an all female bike, a visually impaired rider and one of our trustees who has Cerebral Palsy.

Simply Cycling (based in Manchester) were our inspiration and mentors from the beginning and as it was our 5th and their 15th anniversary we thought this challenge would be the perfect opportunity to fundraise and celebrate all we have achieved.

In total we raised a total of £4,475.34 with the support of so many kind and generous people, not bad for our first big fundraiser! 😁❤️🚲

June 22, 2020 0

Just a little message from us to you ❤️

June 8, 2020 0

HAPPY VOLUNTEERS WEEK!

We would like to thank each and everyone one of our wonderful volunteers for all their hard work and dedication.
Just Ride Southend is run purely by volunteers… how amazing!
We are missing seeing everyone so much and can’t wait to get back to the track when it’s safe.

Thank you!
❤️❤️

June 4, 2020 0

Movement For Good

Please nominate Just Ride Southend for the Church Matters with Ecclesiastical Movement for Good Awards.
Your nomination really counts, £1,000 could make a real difference to JRS in helping provide inclusive cycling for all.
Your nomination could be the one that helps us win.

Visit www.movementforgood.com, click ‘Nominate a charity now’, and enter our charity number, 1179453 to find Just Ride Southend (community).

The more nominations we get, the greater our chance of winning, so please spread the word. Thank you for your support! 😊🚴‍♂️

May 10, 2020 0

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick update, we have been at the track in the last week fixing the bikes and having a clear up so huge thanks to all involved.

The leisure centre has now also closed. Please stay safe, be positive and take care ❤️

March 19, 2020 0

Coronavirus Update

Sadly we have decided to suspend all Just Ride Sessions as of today due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. We have a number of extremely vulnerable people who attend as well as volunteers who are in the high risk group. Also we have a duty of care to all our users who may not be vulnerable but have family members who are older or have other conditions.
We can’t sterilise our bikes and shared equipment and guarantee that they would be virus free on all surfaces.
As we are outdoors hand washing facilities would require a journey to the toilets every time someone coughed or sneezed.
We will review this decision weekly and publish our intentions on a Thursday evening each week.