Rochdale teen cycles hundreds of kilometres for Oldham charity

Liam (second left) raised £750 for Planet Mercy by cycling 300km

A Rochdale teenager has raised hundreds of pounds for an Oldham-based charity with a bike ride.

Liam, 13, decided to raise money for Planet Mercy UK, which works within the local communities to better the lives of locals, by cycling 300km over several weeks.

Liam was inspired to raise money for Planet Mercy through his mother, a children’s care worker for Rochdale Borough Council, who has been working closely with the charity as of late.

Raising a total of £750, Liam handed over the proceeds at the Planet Mercy hub at the Mount Pleasant Business Centre in Oldham on Tuesday 14 July.

Mohammed Moheeb, of Planet Mercy UK, said: “Liam chose Planet Mercy as his charity of choice and did a sponsored 300km bike ride over a period of weeks, raising an amazing £750. The money raised will go towards further helping families in need either through food parcels or household essential items."

At the start of the pandemic, Planet Mercy UK began its ‘OutReach’ project which has, over 17 weeks, distributed over 1,700 food parcels in Rochdale, Oldham, Bury, Bolton and Manchester.

Volunteers have been shopping, collecting donations, packing and distributing parcels whilst working alongside social workers, local authorities and directly with refugees and asylum seekers.

Planet Mercy still continues to supply weekly emergency food parcels for those affected, containing bread, milk, tea, fruit and vegetables, snacks, pasta and freshly cooked hot food.

Under its ‘Reach’ project and hardship fund, the charity has also provided essential household items and cash grants for struggling families (up to £250).