A 21-year-old man has skateboarded from Brighton to Africa in 55 days. Sam Allison skated some 1,500 miles (2,415km) to Tangier in Morocco - taking a downhill tumble and getting all his possessions stolen along the way. But he kept going to raise awareness of mental health and has so far made more than £5,000 for theBen Raemers Foundation, a charity supporting wellbeing in the skateboarding community. "I had my own challenges with mental health," said Mr Allison. "The skate scene is very tight-knit, it's very community driven, so having a service like that within the community is amazing." It was a gruelling physical challenge, which Mr Allison toldBBC Radio Sussexmeant he would need to cover between 30 and 55 miles every day. "It was definitely harder at first. But my body kinda got used to it pretty quick and it just felt like the norm because I would wake up and I just knew what I had to do every day," he said. Travelling on a skateboard on flat pavements is one thing - but Mr Allison's route got a little bumpy at times. "Going up was definitely harder - but downwards is a saving grace because I could save all my energy going downhill, I wouldn't have to push and it was super fun, the adrenalin [was] running," he said. "But I did have a bit of a tumble going down one of the hills, my arm got a bit scraped up. "All in all I think I've done pretty well - I only fell the one time during the whole trip, so I'm proud of that." After setting his fundraising target at only £100, Mr Allison was amazed as the donations started rolling in. "On the last day I cracked over £5,000, which was crazy. It just sort of went mad," he said. All the money will be going to charity, while Mr Allison will no doubt need to invest in a new pair of wheels for his skateboard. "I did the one pair of wheels - I will say they're absolutely haggard," he laughed. Follow BBC Sussex onFacebook,XandInstagram.Send your story ideas tosoutheasttoday@bbc.co.ukor WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
Man skateboards from Brighton to Africa in 55 days
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"Skateboarder Completes 1,500-Mile Journey from Brighton to Morocco in 55 Days"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Sam Allison, a 21-year-old skateboarder, has completed an extraordinary journey, skating from Brighton, England, to Tangier, Morocco, in just 55 days. Covering approximately 1,500 miles (2,415 km), Allison faced numerous challenges along the way, including a downhill tumble and the theft of all his possessions. Despite these setbacks, he remained committed to his mission of raising awareness for mental health issues, particularly within the skateboarding community. His efforts have garnered significant support, resulting in over £5,000 raised for the Ben Raemers Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting wellbeing among skateboarders. Allison shared his personal connection to mental health struggles and emphasized the importance of community support within the skate scene.
The physical demands of the trip were intense, as Allison needed to skate between 30 and 55 miles daily. He described the initial stages of the journey as particularly challenging, but his body quickly adapted to the rigors of the task. Navigating varying terrains added complexity to his adventure; while uphill stretches were strenuous, downhill segments provided a much-needed reprieve and thrill. Remarkably, he only fell once throughout the entire expedition, sustaining minor scrapes. Initially setting a modest fundraising goal of £100, Allison was overwhelmed when contributions surged, culminating in a total of over £5,000 on the final day. As he reflects on his journey, he humorously notes the state of his skateboard wheels, indicating the wear and tear from the extensive travel. The funds raised will significantly benefit the charity, highlighting the positive impact of his adventurous endeavor on mental health awareness in the skateboarding community.
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