Twins Pedal for 24-Hours to Support Men in Suicidal Crisis

BY MADELAINE WINZER

Ican’t think of many things more demanding than pedalling on a static bike for 24-hours straight, however, it did not deter Fabian and Julius from taking on the challenge to support a great cause. They were well prepared stocking up on fuel in the days leading up to the cycle to ensure their glycogen levels were topped up, so they were ready to go.

Taking place at boutique indoor cycling studio Ride Republic situated in the heart of Fulham, followers of former Made in Chelsea star Julius and former English cricketer Fabian were invited to stream their epic

Twins brothers Fabian and Julius Cowdrey completed a 24-hour cycle to raise awareness and donations for James Place, a charity with centres in London and Liverpool that support men who are experiencing a suicidal crisis.

24-hour cycle via Instagram live. With only one toilet break allowed per hour, Julius said “it will be one of the hardest things we have ever done but for an amazing cause.”

Cycling for that duration of time is as much a mental challenge as it is physical, and they both experienced the highs and lows

I had a friend who committed suicide a few months ago. I would say it is something we need to speak about. He was friendly and open guy living in London. He lived a luxurious lifestyle with a 6-figure salary that enabled him to travel around the globe. What I regret as his friend is that I couldn’t listen to him. I wanted to and we planned to meet. It was unfortunate what happened to him.

I learnt that we shouldn’t judge anybody, no matter who they are. It doesn’t matter about their gender, sexuality or income. Do not hurt someone. If you have friends who feel alone, talk to them, listen to them and understand what they are going through. Do not hurt someone.”

Milan Arora (chef) that come with pedalling for a solid 24-hours. Friends, family and local businesses showed their support by providing food and drinks throughout their ride, so much so that passersby thought it was a night club as the tunes flowed to keep the momentum going on the Friday evening.

When it came to Saturday morning, they had pushed through the early hours of the morning and were back climbing at 9am on Saturday with others pedalling by their side to bring them to the final stages of their challenge.

During the ride, Fabian and Joules chatted to people where some shared their experiences of losing friends and loved ones to suicide with one commenting:

Fabian and Julius passion for health and wellbeing shines through in their day-to-day life as co-founders of Safe Space Global, a place where individuals can discuss their life experiences in a group setting leading to fascinating discussions, new theories, and significant growth. They raised over £5500 for James Place and recovered with ice baths and massages provided by Urban Massage.

Mental health is described by the World Health Organisation as an epidemic that needs more attention. For men especially, expectations and gender roles dictated by society mean they are less likely to seek help when they are experiencing mental health problems - there is still a consensus that they need to look or behave a certain way – and this can be harmful. Yet, it is something we are all too familiar with!

Health and wellbeing is an industry that continues to grow and it is important to be aware of ourselves and our clients. To move forward, we need to drop the stigma and discrimination attached to those suffering with mental health issues, and foster acceptance – it can be a gateway to oneself and for others.

If you would like to find out more about James Place or donate, go to www.jamesplace.org.uk

If you are a massage therapist interested in volunteering in your community, check out what events are happening in your area. It is a great way to support a cause you care about while sharing your skills and educating people about the wonderful benefits massage therapy can provide.