Man completes 25-hour charity challenge in Norwich

A man who set up a project to help troubled young people has successfully completed an ambitious endurance challenge to raise funds to put equipment in a Norwich community centre where the scheme is based.

Junior Johnson, 51, set up the Young Urbanites programme in London in 2001, which worked with local schoolchildren who experienced difficulties at school and who were at risk of becoming involved in crime and drugs.

But in 2005, the project, which also delivers workshops which raise awareness of other cultures, and promote anti-racism and community cohesion, moved to Norwich and has recently set up at the Catton Grove Community Centre.

Mr Johnson took part in a 24-hour solo spin, the name given to indoor cycling classes, at the Forum in Norwich, between noon on Saturday and noon yesterday, to raise cash for new equipment.

But Mr Johnson, a spin instructor at the Fitness First Gym on Riverside, ended up cycling for an extra hour because the clocks went back on Saturday night. He said: 'I think I've found a bit of a niche doing these crazy events but I'm getting fitter and fitter. As well as raising money for the community it's a real personal challenge too which is something I always enjoy.

'It's been good for members of the public to see what we're doing and have a chat and hopefully they will go away and talk to a few people and inspire community action in others.'

To find out more about Young Urbanites, contact Junior Johnson at junior@youngurbanites.org or log on to www.youngurbanites.org

Are you doing something amazing for charity? Call reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk