SCORES of children in Oldham will get the chance to meet a British cycling star thanks to a Nissan dealer.
West Way Nissan in St Mary’s Way has arranged for Team GB track cyclist, Jess Varnish, to pay a visit to Mahdlo Youth Zone on Monday, August 17.
The Manchester-based 24-year-old, who won two bronze medals at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, will take part in a question and answer session with youngsters from Mahdlo’s ‘holiday zone’ – a club which runs every day during the summer break.
She will also accompany the children – aged from 8 to 14 – to the nearby Alexandra Park for a mini bike ride.
West Way – the UK’s biggest Nissan dealer group – and Jess formed a partnership last year as part of Nissan’s role as the Official Automotive Partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB on the road to the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Jess said: “I’m really looking forward to meeting all the children at Mahdlo. I love getting out and about and listening to what the younger generation has to say. I hope I can inspire them to take up cycling – you never know, there could be a future Olympian amongst them.”
West Way Oldham has been a great supporter of Mahdlo over the years by helping to raise awareness of the centre, taking part in education events and supplying vehicles.
Phil Behrens, Dealer Principal at West Way Oldham, said: “We are proud, as a dealer group, to support Jess as she prepares for Rio 2016. And we are proud to support the fantastic work of Mahdlo in Oldham.
“So it made sense to get them both together. I’m sure children at Mahdlo will be inspired by her story and realise they too can follow their dreams.”
Up to 100 children take part in Mahdlo’s ‘holiday zone’ every day, providing them with a range of exciting activities and events to keep them occupied.
Claire Crossfield, Development Manager from Mahdlo Youth Centre, in Egerton Street, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for youngsters to understand what a top athlete has to do to compete at the very top. We wish to say thank you to West Way Nissan for organising her visit. It will be a great experience for all our children.”
Mahdlo is open 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year, for 8-21 year olds from across Oldham. Membership is £5 for a year and each session costs only 50p. For more information call Mahdlo Youth Zone on 0161 624 0111.
As part of Nissan’s partnership with Team GB and ParalympicsGB, the carmaker has launched the #UniteAndExcite campaign, which will provide fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to athletes’ stories and news of how Nissan’s innovative technology could improve performance.
Fans can follow #UniteAndExcite at www.nissan.co.uk/uniteandexcite