• Youth climate activist Jessie Stevens will cycle 570 miles to attend COP26
  
  
• The Adventure Syndicate will support her with a cross country relay of cargo bike riders

• Journey will begin from Newton Abbot in Devon on 20th October and conclude in Glasgow on 31st October

• Crowdfunder launched to support her and create feature length film

The Adventure Syndicate will launch a Crowdfund campaign in order to ride cargo bikes in support of Jessie’s journey and to demonstrate one of the many sustainable transport solutions that already exist. The campaign will also enable Adventure Syndicate filmmaker Catherine Dunn to follow the movement and capture the journey by film, focusing on the stories of those Jessie meets along the way and the power of people-led action. The crowdfunder will launch on Friday 17th September #Ride2COP26 @adventuresynd @people_pedal_power.

16 year old youth climate activist Jessie Stevens, founder of the movement People Pedal Power, wanted to attend COP26 in Glasgow to have her voice heard and bring youth representation to a conversation often dominated by older voices. With the carbon cost of flying proving unjustifiable, the train journey proving extortionately expensive and walking proving too great a tax on her time and education, Jessie has decided to make the 570 mile journey from the coastline of Southern England to Glasgow by bike. Concerned that the upcoming COP would continue to result in a lack of meaningful action, Jessie wants as many people to join the movement People Pedal Power. Their collective statement, that politicians cannot ignore, will demonstrate how ineffective and unjust our current transport systems are and highlight the importance of people-led decision making.

The Adventure Syndicate will support Jessie's journey by producing a feature length film to showcase the power of the movement and the stories of those involved. Young people, underrepresented groups and climate experts will be invited and encouraged to join for a few miles of the #Ride2COP26 route to create a diverse collection of people and stories that cannot be ignored. Adventure Syndicate filmmaker Catherine Dunn will document the journey and capture these conversations as they unfold. The film will not follow the traditional hero’s journey, but instead focus on the power that can be sought from collective action, collaboration, trust and the voices of the future. Catherine will work with Jessie to co-produce the film to produce a powerful piece which reflects the values of Jessie’s mission and youth voice.  

The Adventure Syndicate will also support Jessie by travelling with her on a cargo bike and carrying everything she will need to be self-sufficient. Continuing the legacy of Resolution Race, the cargo bike will be ridden by different members of The Adventure Syndicate family as a relay alongside Jessie as she rides up the country. The cargo bike will not only provide physical support, but will also tangibly represent one of the viable solutions to developing a more sustainable transport system; after all, this journey is not just about highlighting what is wrong, but also about demonstrating solutions. 

The crowdfunding appeal aims to cover the costs associated with the production of a feature length film and sustainably cover the efforts of those volunteering to support Jessie on the cargo bike. This means all funding will directly contribute to the film through production, post-production, original nature-inspired music, co-production with Jessie and photography by James Robertson, whilst ensuring everyone who is supporting on the cargo bike has the means to travel to and from their home.

If you want to support Jessie there a few ways to be involved:

1. Pledge your support or your brand/organisations support to the Crowdfund Campaign at crowdfunder.co.uk/peoplepedalpower. There is a tired pledge structure with a range of offerings (breakdown below).
2. Join Jessie for a few miles (or more!) on her journey - find the route on Ride with GPS.
3. Support Jessie by being part of the cargo bike relay up the country! Get in touch for more information.
4. Share the story on social media! All press materials, social media materials and information can be found attached to this email. 

Crowdfunder tiered rewards:

£5 - Your name will appear in the film credits to thank you publicly for your support

£15 - You will receive an exclusive copy of the film prior to public release and will have the opportunity to send a thumbnail image of yourself to appear in the film credits.

£25 - You will receive: 1) An exclusive copy of the film prior to public release 2) You can send a thumbnail image of yourself to appear in the film credits 3) You can submit a short statement (one sentence) directed to the politicians and policy makers demanding the action you would like to see - this will appear at the end of the film.

£50 - You will receive: 1) An exclusive copy of the film prior to public release 2) You can send a thumbnail image of yourself to appear in the film credits 3) You can submit a short statement (one sentence) directed to the politicians and policy makers demanding the action you would like to see - this will appear at the end of the film 5) A copy of Adventure Syndicate journal 'Joining the Dots'.

£100 - You will receive all of the above as well as a unique print from adventure photographer James Robertson from Jessie's journey.

£200 - You will have your image/brand logo displayed in the film and receive public thanks for your support through The Adventure Syndicate channels and social media. You will also receive pre-release access to the feature length film produced from the journey.

£500 - You will have a full screen dedicated to your image/brand logo in the film and receive public thanks for your support through The Adventure Syndicate channels and social media. Pledge your brand/organisation’s commitment to a more sustainable future, which will appear in the film. You will also receive exclusive access to the feature length film produced from the journey.

The Adventure Syndicate

The Adventure Syndicate are a not-for-profit organisation who use the inspiring stories of women and underrepresented groups adventuring by bike to inspire, encourage and enable in the outdoors and adventure. Importantly, by being open and honest about our own limitations, vulnerabilities and failures, we aim to promote equity, sustainability and health through adventure. We are passionate collaborators and believe whole-heartedly in the strength and power to be found in mutually cooperative and considerate groups who strive to focus on the greater good rather than aim for personal success.

Jessie Stevens - People Pedal Power

Jessie is a youth activist who cares deeply about the power of people to create change. The idea to start the movement People Pedal Power came from her fears that more inaction would come from the upcoming COP26. Inspired by the growing youth climate movement across the world, Jessie too decided to take action. People Pedal Power is a ‘tag team’ of people riding towards COP26, making as much noise as possible and putting pressure on the change makers within. People want change and want the truth from our leaders. People Pedal Power wants to make this happen by creating a group of people cycling to the COP26, shouting our message loud and clear so it can’t be ignored any longer. Rain or shine the ride will be full of joy as individuals come together to create collective change and climate action.