In Kolkata a lot of kids have pretty tough lives and don't get to enjoy just being kids. Joy Ride is your opportunity to bring a little joy – by getting on your bike and getting your family and friends to support you!
"Grinding poverty doesn’t leave a heap of space for fun or joy. But we think joy and fun are important and as audacious as it is, we want every single kid in our communities to experience at least one day of awesomeness!"
We think that fun in and of itself is great! We think that through hosting carnivals and youth groups and art clubs and football tournaments and taking kids to the swimming pool or movie theatre we can provide fun and give a glimpse into a life with a bit more joy and a bit more hope.
So that’s why we want to raise a bunch of money for fun stuff. But how we raise the money is actually pretty fun too… “Joy Ride” takes place throughout October. Participants set themselves a cycling challenge and rope in some sponsors.
Last year we had participants aged from 3 – 80 years old! 3 and 5 year old siblings rode 100km between them. One gentleman rode all the cycleways of Christchurch to mark his 80th Birthday and someone else did their daily cycle commute in fancy dress for the whole month to bring a little more joy.
We had fun and we gave fun.
Join us to create more this year!
What will your Joy Ride funds be used for?
The funds raised through Joy Ride will support the creation of spaces for fun. Safe spaces for kids to hang out and just be kids.
It will support youth groups and kids clubs. Buy sports equipment and art supplies. It will support football and dance clubs, tournaments and contests. It will support events, camps and leadership training for young people so they can develop into everything they’re meant to be. It will also pay for youth workers and social workers to walk alongside these children and young people.
Funds will also help to pay for school fees, equipment and uniforms – not that school is always fun, but when these costs are covered it frees up more time for kids to enjoy their childhoods.
