From 4pm on Wednesday. 6 March, Mark Bailey, Head of Service Management at Prior’s Court, will be cycling for 24 hours around our 0.6km circular track on a tricycle in support of our performing arts centre fundraising appeal.

Mark will be using a tricycle for this challenge as this is a preferred method of transport for many of our young people.

Mark's aim with the “On your MARKs, get set, go!” challenge is to raise £10,000 for the Let Me Shine Performing Arts Centre fundraising appeal, as he is one of the leads for the project.

Mark said:

I believe passionately in how the performing arts centre will provide transformational opportunities for young people with complex autism at Prior’s Court and further afield. This is why I am taking on this somewhat intimidating challenge. I’m starting training six months ahead of the challenge date as I want to get as many Prior’s Court young people involved in my preparations as possible. That and I am quite unfit so need the time to get in decent shape for 24 hours of cycling!

Mark has a JustGiving page set up for donations.

The Let Me Shine Performing Arts Centre, once complete, will feature adapted facilities to support young people with complex autism to access opportunities in music, dance and drama and the life-enriching benefits this provides.

Individuals with autism face many barriers to accessing the arts – from light and noise sensitivities to understanding of social rules – and one aim of the centre is to mimic theatre environments to prepare young people to access arts venues in the community successfully. This is in addition to having the opportunity day-to-day to express themselves creatively in a dedicated, bespoke space.

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Performing Arts Centre We are seeking funding for an innovative and ground-breaking performing arts centre – a bespoke on-site facility to help transform the lives of young people with complex autism. Find out more