News / charity
Skateboarding more than 250 miles for charity
A skateboarder will be attempting to skate from Land’s End to Bristol in aid of a charity supporting those affected by suicide within the skateboarding community.
Ed Shaw will be leaving from Land’s End on Sunday and estimates that his journey will take six days, hopefully arriving into Bristol on August 19, finishing his journey at the Dean Lane skate park in Bedminster.
The 27-year-old will be raising money for The Ben Raemers Foundation, which was founded in 2019 after professional skateboarder, Ben Raemers, took his own life.
The charity aims to create a safe space and platform to raise awareness of mental health issues within the skateboarding community.
On his GoFundMe page, Ed has invited anyone to join him on his solo excursion.
He will be skating from dawn till dusk, up and down the hills of Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, come rain or shine.
Ed has spruced up his board in time for his long skate – photo: Ed Shaw
“I think it’s going to be a real challenge,” Ed told Bristol24/7.
“I’m going to have to dig super deep, but I’m super stoked
“A lot of people have a real connection to charities that support suicide. Pretty much everyone has been impacted by suicide in one way or another and it sucks.”
Ed’s journey will take him across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset before ending back in Bristol – image: Ed Shaw
Ed, who has been skating since he was 12, took inspiration for his skate from Barney Page, who skated the 941-mile route from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 2021 for his friend Ben Raemers.
He was also inspired by another Bristol-based skater, Beth Howells, who started the project Keep Pushing where she hopes to increase awareness surrounding mental health challenges, and speak about ways in which we can use skateboarding as a catalyst for healing.
“I see work that others are doing to support suicide awareness, and this skate is just part of the catalyst for more conversations to start and get the ball rolling,” Ed added.
“I’m excited for the skate! I’m gonna come across so many people and just share my story with them and keep the conversation going.”
To find out more about his journey and donate to the cause, visit www.gofundme.com/f/lands-end-to-bristol-on-4-wheels-for-ben-raemers
Main photo: Ben Haizelden
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- Domestic abuse prevention pilot to expand to Bristol after £1.2m boost
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