On August 22nd, Tim-Fred Jatto, Andy Morgan, Phil Lane and Jools Hesketh will set off from Land’s End in Cornwall to cycle 1,071 miles to John O’Groats on the far north-eastern tip of Great Britain. The aim is to raise over £10,000 for Bristol Refugee Rights, an organisation that cares for refugees and asylum seekers in Bristol. This trip will give one young refugee a chance to see the whole country unfolding from one to the other and experience its stunning beauty close up.

Tim-Fred Jatto is strength coach born in Kwara State, Nigeria. He moved to the UK with his family in 2011. It took nine long years before the family were granted leave to remain and settlement. The waiting time was full of frustrating uncertainties. Tim was on a bus when he received a call from his dad telling him that their long wait was over. "I felt peaceful," he says, "because I could begin to plan for the future with much certainty." Tim is turning 22 this year and works as a personal trainer in Bath and volunteers at Bristol Refugee rights as a fitness coach.  

Andy Morgan is a journalist and writer based in Bristol. He worked for many years in music, ending up as manager of Saharan band Tinariwen. In 2018, Andy started volunteering for BRR. "The kindness and tolerance at BRR's Welcome Centre should be bottled and distributed widely," he says. 

Phil Lane is builder and renovator, born and bred in Bristol, who grows chillies and loves cycling. 

Jools Hesketh is a paramedic who doesn't normally do journeys like this. He prefers lying on the beach. 

Bristol Refugee Rights (BRR) was set up in 2006 to uphold and champion the human rights of asylum seekers and refugees in Bristol and the south west of England. The organisation provides practical and emotional support to thousands of new refugees and people seeking asylum, including access to food, shelter, solicitors, medical treatment, education, an allowance, telephones and data. At its Welcome Centre, it offers well-being activities including English classes, a fully staffed crèche, arts groups, exercise activities and volunteering opportunities. The organisation provides extended protection and support to young people and LGBTQ+ people. Since the onset of COVID-19 BRR delivered all of this and more over the telephone and online. Above all, BRR provides people a sense of belonging and a home away from home.   

“BRR gives people hope and dignity in a society where refugees and asylum seekers are seen as victims.” - Tim-Fred Jatto

https://www.bristolrefugeerights.org/ 

Tim's Gear.