Turn2us - to access benefits & grants.

Charity Trustee Cycles Country to Raise Funds

Immediate release: Thursday 2nd September 2010

Elizabeth Finn Care trustee John Stephen will be undertaking a cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’ Groats this Sunday (5 September 2010) in a bid to raise money for Turn2us.

Turn2us, part of the Elizabeth Finn Care charity, is a free and confidential service which helps people in financial need to access money available to them – through welfare benefits, grants and other financial help.

Commenting on his 1,000 mile expedition, John Stephen said: “I am looking forward to starting the journey from Land’s End to John O’ Groats. I’ve never done anything on this scale before and we’ll see how the body will hold up to 60 miles per day over the course of three weeks.”

Mr Stephen will also raise money for Help the Hospices, a charity supporting hospice care, and LandAid, The Property Industry Charity, which helps young and disadvantaged people to access the facilities, skills and opportunities to achieve their potential and thrive within their local communities.

Mr Stephen aims to raise a total of £30,000 for the three charities. He has already raised over £20,000 to date.

All personal expenses of the trip will be covered by Mr Stephen, who will also contribute a 10% donation of the total amount raised.

Alison Taylor, Director of Turn2us, said: “Over 13 million people currently live in poverty in the UK, including almost 4 million children. The money John raises will be used by Turn2us to help people navigate the complex system for claiming money they need in welfare benefits and charitable grants."

“Every year millions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed and there are over 3,500 charitable funds that can provide help. I am absolutely delighted that John is supporting Turn2us in this way.”

To make a donation to Turn2us, please visit: www.justgiving.com/JohnS-Turn2Us

ENDS

For information, photographs and interviews please contact:

Tracey Dawkins, Assistant Press Officer. Telephone: 0208 834 9259

Notes to Editors:

Elizabeth Finn Care is a charity that helps people in financial need through direct financial support and access to welfare benefits, grants and other financial help from over 3,500 charities using the Turn2us comprehensive website (http://www.turn2us.org.uk/) and freephone helpline.

• Since being founded in 1897, the charity has given away over £130m to people in need.  In 2009/2010 over 3564 British and Irish citizens were given grants totalling £3,669,920 by Elizabeth Finn Care.
• Turn2us was founded by Elizabeth Finn Care in 2007, and merged into Elizabeth Finn Care in October 2009.