This summer, whilst the eyes of the world are on Rio de Janerio as the finest athletes come together for 31st Olympiad, one man will be pushing himself to his own physical limits to improve the life chances of thousands of disadvantaged young people.

Carnegie Smyth will be taking the time out of his busy schedule as Managing Director of Signia Wealth to undertake the extreme ‘10:10:1000 Challenge’ with the aim of raising vital funds for the Sport for Development charity, Sported.

On Saturday 6^th August 2016, Carnegie will be setting off from Belfast to cycle 1,000km to the Lee Valley Tennis and Hockey Centre in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in ten days, via Scotland and Wales. En-route he will pay a special visit to ten Sported member clubs to see first-hand how sport is being used to turnaround and transform young lives. Not one to shy away from a challenge, during his visits Carnegie will be putting his sporting prowess to the test as he joins young people in an array of sporting activities, including boxing, archery, sailing, hockey and basketball.

Money raised from the ‘10:10:1000 Challenge’ will support the work of Sported. Born out of the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the charity supports a network of over 3,000 community groups. Located in some of the most economically deprived communities of the UK, together these groups use the power of sport to broaden the horizons, raise the aspirations and develop the life skills of over 450,000 young people.

Carnegie Smyth, Managing Director of Signia Wealth and Trustee at Sported, said: “Make no mistake, it’s going to be tough, but I passionately believe sport is one of the most effective tools we have to motivate and inspire young people today. Sported supports some amazing community organisations across the UK, so I can’t wait to meet some of the inspirational volunteers and, of course, try my hand at some of the sports!”

Sir Keith Mills, founder of Sported and former Deputy Chairman of LOCOG, said: “Sported’s members pride themselves on the same values of the Olympics and Paralympics – friendship, respect, excellence, determination, inspiration, courage and equality. So it’s fitting that in the month when these qualities come to the fore, Carnegie takes on this extremely tough challenge for such a worthy cause.”

To donate to Carnegie’s 10:10:1000 Challenge, please visit:

https://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/sported/carnegie10101000 

10:10:1000 Challenge Itinerary:

Day 1 [Sat 6^th August]: Belfast to Glasgow (Sported members visiting: Gleann Amateur Boxing Club & Rathfern Company of Archers)

Day 2 [Sun 7^th August]: Glasgow to Moffat (Sported member visiting: Reach for Sky Basketball)

Day 3 [Mon 8^th August]: Moffat to Carlisle (Sported member visiting: Sports Driving Unlimited)

Day 4 [Tue 9^th August]: Carlisle to Kendal

Day 5 [Wed 10^th August]: Kendal to Chorley (Sported member visiting: Preston United Youth Development)

Day 6 [Thurs 11^th August]: Chorley to Liverpool to Glyn Ceirog (Sported member visiting: Positive Futures North Liverpool)

Day 7 [Fri 12^th August]: Glen Ceirog to Telford (Sported member visiting: Canolfan Ceirog Centre CYF & Telford Sailability)

Day 8 [Sat 13^th August]: Telford to Worcester (no Sported member visit)

Day 9 [Sun 14^th August]: Worcester to Oxford (Sported member visiting: Disability Karate Federation)

Day 10 [Mon 15^th August]: Oxford to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (Sported member visiting: FRE Flyers)