AstraZeneca employee gets on her bike to support Depaul UK

Jackie Moreton, a senior business analyst at AstraZeneca’s Alderley Park site near Macclesfield, Cheshire, is currently motorbiking through 87 historic counties in England, Scotland and Wales as she visits nine Depaul UK projects to find out about how they support homeless, disadvantaged and vulnerable young people.

AstraZeneca UK partnered with Depaul UK 18 months ago as part of its global Young Health Programme, which aims to to help young people in need around the world understand and deal with the health issues they face. The two organisations are looking at ways to improve the mental and physical health of Depaul UK‘s young people through specific initiatives. Staff from AstraZeneca are also lending their support to Depaul UK in many ways including running healthy cooking sessions at housing projects and holding fundraising activities. In September some AstraZenca 100 staff will be taking part in a sleep out.

Commenting on her 2,500 mile grand tour Jackie said: "Many of my colleagues here at AstraZeneca have been involved in volunteering with Depaul UK and that inspired me to find out more about the positive work the charity is doing all over the country. By personally visiting the different schemes and meeting some of the young people I hope to get a real understanding of how important Depaul UK’s work is and how it makes such a difference to the lives of vulnerable young people who have noone else to turn to.”

Annie Crowley, Young People's Health Programme Manager, at Depaul UK, said: "We are delighted by Jackie's commitment to Depaul UK. The fact that she is undertaking this trek in her holiday demonstrates her dedication to the cause and we’re looking forward to showing her Depaul UK's work supporting young people all over the UK.”

Jackie set off from her home town of Congleton on July 2. She travels to Exeter, London, York, the North East, the North West and Edinburgh.

To follow Jackie’s progress in support of Depaul UK:

visit www.abeona-adventures.com/adventure-britain/ .

To sponsor the journey in support of Depaul UK visit Jackie’s JustGiving site on www.justgiving.com/thegreatbritishbikeride