On Friday, 18th, and Saturday, 19th October, three dedicated volunteers from Liverpool Heartbeat embarked on a challenging 127-mile sponsored bike ride from Liverpool Town Hall to Leeds. Dubbed The Northern Peace Ride, the event was aimed at raising funds for Liverpool Heartbeat and spreading a powerful message of peace from the city of Liverpool.

The Journey Begins
The ride was set in motion by Phil Davies, a talented videographer and vital volunteer for Liverpool Heartbeat, who coordinated with Leeds Town Hall and the Chair of Leeds Peace Poetry, Rehana Minhas. Rehana shared three winning poems from Leeds’ Peace Poetry competition (focused on the theme of “Fire”), which the riders read and recorded during their journey.

At 8:30 am on a sunny Friday morning, Phil joined fellow riders Ossie Omar, a dedicated fundraiser, and Garth Dallas, Chair of the Liverpool Commonwealth Association, at Liverpool Town Hall. Encouraged by supportive words from Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Richard Kemp, the trio began their adventure along the Liverpool-Leeds Canal.

Robin Baynes MBE, founder of Liverpool Heartbeat, accompanied the team by car, offering moral support and meeting them at various points along the route.

Challenges Along the Way
The journey was not without its hurdles. Phil Davies was forced to retire early due to a previous leg injury, returning to Liverpool via Wigan. Meanwhile, Ossie and Garth faced multiple setbacks, including three punctures on Garth’s bike and a treacherous, waterlogged canal path near Skipton. Despite these challenges, the pair pressed on, cycling into the night and arriving at their Burnley stopover much later than planned.

The Final Stretch
Saturday morning brought clear skies and renewed determination. Following a hearty breakfast and a quick bike repair, Ossie and Garth resumed their journey to Leeds. Robin went ahead to meet Rehana Minhas at the Leeds Craft Centre, where he shared Liverpool Heartbeat’s peace message and toured the city’s iconic landmarks.

Ossie and Garth completed the ride just in time to catch their train back to Liverpool, carrying with them the pride of spreading the message of peace and raising vital funds for Liverpool Heartbeat.

Robin Baynes MBE on the Importance of Peace
Reflecting on the ride, Robin shared:
"We currently live in turbulent times, but amidst all the chaos, we feel passionately that peace should always be a continued theme. Children should remain a priority, inspired, encouraged, and allowed to live the life they desire in peace. I am truly grateful to Ossie and Garth for their incredible effort in completing this ride and to Phil Davies for his dedication in capturing the journey on film."

Liverpool Heartbeat extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported The Northern Peace Ride. Together, we continue to champion peace and inspire future generations to build a better world.

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