With a Little Help From My Friends

I don’t know about you but during the two years of lockdowns, tiers and isolation I listened to a lot of music. In fact I have realised that I spend a hell of a lot of my time listening to music and sometimes feel I can’t function without it. In 2021 one of my friends even went to the extreme of buying technics decks and took an online DJ course. He had discovered a real passion for music.

My love of music came from my mum, she always had music playing and obviously used it for her exercise classes.

So why am I writing about music? Please bear with me....

The average 45-minute spin class is the equivalent of travelling 16km on the road so imagine swapping your spin bike for a road bike and swapping the studio for the French Alps. Actually I suppose that sounds quite nice and scenic doesn't it?

But what if you are cycling 300km. A different story perhaps!

My friend and popular LFX guest Chris Loxley PhD will be taking on the Tour du Mont-Blanc Cyclo, otherwise known as ‘Everest In A Day’ Cycling Challenge on the 16th July in aid of the River Reeves foundation.

The charity was founded in my hometown of Warrington following the tragic death of all members of the talented young indie band, Viola Beach in 2016.

Craig Tarry, the band’s 32-year-old manager, was driving the band back to a hotel in Stockholm in the early hours of the morning after they had played at a Swedish music festival. The four-piece Warrington-based band had flown out from Manchester the night before and were considered “very much in the ascendancy” with foreign tours planned and a slot at Glastonbury. A tragic accident meant that the band would never reach the heights expected of them.

In 2022, River's Dad, Ben Dunne and 5 close friends, Neil Rigby, Paul Jefferson, Sam Middleton, Chris Loxley and Dave Wooster?will be taking on this mammoth challenge to raise funds and?support the launch of RNCM Young Artists.?

In order to help achieve a fundraising target of ￡50,000 they will be cycling 330km, riding up inclines of 8000m (the height of Everest) all in 24 hours.

Yes that’s right, all of that in 24 hours.

RNCM?Young Artists is a new programme of training and support for young pop musicians aged 11-18 from the North West, musicians just like River and his Viola Beach bandmates. Launching in September 2022, RNCM Young Artists will support new music talent across the region, give young people life-changing opportunities to achieve their potential, and make inspiring music training from the very best artists accessible to all.

Chris and his insightful discussion on consumer behaviour has inspired not only me, but so many industry colleagues and I would love us to give something back.

So if music is a big thing in your life please give Chris and his colleagues your support. In turn you will be providing fantastic opportunities for talented young artists across the North West.

If you would like to show your support in the form of a donation, please click here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mont-blanc-challenge-2022

In the meantime I'll stick to spinning.