Gearing up for a special thank you

Five years ago Phil Allsop was at rock bottom.

A serial offender and an alcoholic, when he got out of Durham Jail he had nothing but one small bag containing all his possessions and an uncertain future.

But now, five years on his life has been transformed thanks to the Bridges Residential Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre for Men in Hull.

Phil has now been clean and sober since graduating from the Bridges in 2008 – thanks to the counselling, care and love that he received at the centre.

“I graduated from The Bridges, the Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust (RAPt)’residential drug and alcohol treatment facility, in February 2008,” explains 50-year-old Phil.

“To say that my life has been transformed would be an understatement.

“I came to The Bridges from Durham Prison, broken and empty with nothing except a plastic bag containing all my worldly possessions.

“I have been given a whole new way of life – which includes great relationships with my beloved daughters Phillippa and Tia and my friends, together with rewarding employment, my own home, my own car, a clean driving license and being a productive member of society who can hold their head up high.

“When I left the Bridges, they helped me get a flat locally in Hull and then they helped me to get a job at ARCO, the UK’s leading supplier of safety equipment. This is a job I love and ARCO have been really supportive of my recovery.

“In fact I am so grateful for all the support I’ve received, without which I just wouldn’t be here. The Bridges literally saved my life. This challenge gives me a fantastic opportunity to help the next person transform their life.”

Now Phil is repaying that debt by undertaking a gruelling 320-mile cycle ride in four days setting off today.

The challenge is organised by the Quintessentially Foundation, and will take in some of Europe’s most testing terrain.

He is aiming to raise £3,000 for the Bridges and is already nearly half way towards his total.

“It’s going to be tough, but not as tough as the life I used to have, which involved one disaster and one prison after another. I’m now strong enough to make my own way in life and it’s important for me to say thank you to everyone who has helped me on that journey,” says Phil.

RAPt is one of the Quintessentially Foundation’s charity partners this year, which is why Phil has chosen to take part in the Foundation’s charity cycle ride.

Quintessentially Foundation supports charitable activity worldwide that improves the health, education and welfare of disadvantaged communities.

The challenging cycling event will see 120 cyclists journey 320 miles from Geneva to Paris.

The ride will take cyclists from the foothills of the Jura Mountains through the famous vineyards of Burgundy as well as 
Macon, Beaune and 
Chablis.

The event will finish under the Eiffel Tower in the heart of Paris on Saturday on the eve of the arrival of the Tour de France.

The bike ride is an annual event for the Foundation, and last year raised in excess of £300,000 for their chosen charity.

Phil was also one of a number of graduates from the Bridges who attended a drinks party in aid of RAPt at Houghton Hall, near Howden, which raised nearly £9,000 for the charity.

“Through Virgin Money Giving, you can sponsor 
me and donations will be quickly processed and 
passed to charities,” explains Phil.

“Virgin Money Giving is a not-for-profit organisation and will claim gift aid on a charity’s behalf where the donor is eligible for this.

“I really appreciate all your support and thank you for any donations”.

To find out more about Phil’s challenge or to sponsor him visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=PhilAllsopp

For further information on The Bridges and RAPt, visit www.rapt.org.uk

Giving addicts hope of recovery

The Bridges gives men who are addicted to drugs or alcohol and have committed crimes associated with their addiction, the chance to achieve full, sustainable recovery and to build a more positive future. It is RAPt’s residential drug and alcohol treatment centre for men with a history of criminal behaviour. Based in Hull, the focus is on successful resettlement and abstinence covering an intensive treatment programme delivered through workshops, group therapy and one to one counselling to equip all residents with the skills needed to build and sustain a drug and crime-free life.