The Piecycle Challenge fundraiser – our final bid to save Ramsgate Youth Centre
Posted: 8th May 2025
Pie’s youth workers – Connor, Jeff and Luis – are cycling 240 miles from coast-to-coast, Portishead to Ramsgate, in 5 days from 5th to 9th June 2025 in a bid to raise funds for us and awareness of the need for dedicated spaces for young people to go to.
They’ll visit youth clubs along the way, meeting young people and flying the flag for youth work. Every turn of the pedals aims to get us closer to saving Ramsgate Youth Centre, which is being put up for commercial sale by Kent County Council, highlighting the urgent and important need for investment in youth work in Thanet.
The clock is ticking to save the youth centre. Having had two bids to buy the building rejected by the council, we are doing everything we can to have the decision to dispose of the it reconsidered by the new administration in the hope that it can be saved for future generations of young people in Ramsgate and beyond.
Donate at www.justgiving.com/page/piecycle-challenge and follow their journey on www.instagram.com/piefactorymusic
The ‘Piecycle Challenge’ will bring the fight to save the youth centre to life with each turn of the bicycle pedals. Along the 240-mile route, which starts in Portishead, Connor, Jeff and Luis will visit youth clubs in each county they travel through to spotlight just how vital youth centres are. They’ll meet fellow youth workers – the people creating safe spaces for young people outside of education where they can take part in creative and social opportunities and connect with others in person – and young people from these communities to hear the positive impact a youth centre has on their lives. The challenge will end with a celebratory homecoming party at Ramsgate Youth Centre open to all on Monday 9th June from 5pm where the cyclists will be met on their return with live music from Pie’s Emerging Artists, food, drink and much-needed leg massages!
Every turn of the pedals aims to get Pie closer to saving Ramsgate Youth Centre and fly the flag for the urgent and important need for investment in youth work in Thanet.
Anything you can give will go a long way to fuel them during the ride and support Thanet’s young people in the future.
Over 1,000 young people attend Pie annually on average with participants describing the youth centre as a “safe haven”, their “second home” and a place to “make a fresh start”, “make friends” and “find freedom”. Without this space, the charity’s current provision of positive and diversionary activities and creative opportunities for young people will significantly decrease or stop, as they will be made to find alternative premises.
Connor, Jeff and Luis say:
“We live and breathe bikes, running Pie’s Bike Project initiative that equips young people with the skills and independence to ride, fix and maintain bicycles. It’s been a tough fight to save our youth centre, so with summer on the horizon, we’re channelling our passion into action. We’ve been pushing our limits, training hard, and are ready to take on some mega pedal power to raise £2,000 and awareness of our cause. We know times are tough for many, but anything you can give to offer the young people of Thanet hope right now is so appreciated.”
Please support Connor, Jeff and Luis on their journey – donate, send messages of support, meet them at key pitstops – it’ll show young people in Thanet that people care and that we believe they deserve better.”
Regular Pie participants, Luke and Jacob chatted with Connor and Jeff to find out more about the Piecycle Challenge, why they want to do it, what they’re looking forward to and how training is going so far. Watch the film below.