London to Brighton for PAN Intercultural Arts

Ti-Jean Martin is organizing this fundraiser to benefit Pan Intercultural Arts Limited.

Our names are Ti-Jean (some of you might know me as TJ) and Livvy and we’re cycling 55 miles from London to Brighton this September to raise money for the vital work of PAN Intercultural Arts.

PAN uses the expressive and reconstructive power of the arts for social change - working with vulnerable groups of people supporting them to re-imagine a future not bound by violence or fear. Pan works with:

Female survivors of trafficking and modern-day slave labour through the Amies Project (which has performed in prestigious venues such as Cadogan Hall)

Young people from marginalised backgrounds and excluded from mainstream schools, who are at risk of involvement in violent crime, through the Weapon of Choice Project

Young Refugees and Asylum Seekers through the Fortune, Future and Papillon Projects

Through the arts, whether this be music, drama or dance, PAN empowers its participants to re - build their self-confidence and sense of self-worth, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives.

"Without everyone here, I'm not ME. I'm realising myself now, I'm growing, growing brighter, and growing in confidence to express myself.” (Participant)

Participants are given pathways for new careers as mentors, facilitators and directors both within PAN and with similar charities. It gives participants pathways to integration with their communities, away from isolation, anxiety and extremist thought - thoroughly bettering the lives of some of the most at-risk people in society.

“We are all different but all the same, I am realising this. You do very well for us. Refugees are treated like sheep in this country, but you treat us like real people and that means a lot.” (Participant)

Due to current global conflicts, political tensions and the impact of COVID-19, the climate crisis and Brexit, the need for PAN’s work is now greater than ever, which is why we are choosing to take on this challenge now:

· 84,425 people are currently awaiting asylum decisions in the UK and 21,715 people seeking asylum in London, at least 1600 of whom are unaccompanied minors

· At least 100,000 people in the UK are victims of modern slavery and/or human trafficking

· Young people from marginalised backgrounds face immense barriers in society which leave them vulnerable to peer-pressure, radicalisation, gang affiliation and criminal activity

By donating you are directly helping some of society’s most vulnerable and marginalised communities’ live their lives free from fear, violence and limitations, easing tensions which could lead to loss of life. With your support PAN will continue to combat social injustice and drive towards long-term, impactful systemic change. Thank you for being part of that change!

Please give whatever you can, all donations will be much appreciated and help a vital cause - we’ll speed to the coast on the 15th of September!

Find out more about PAN’s work here: https://www.pan-arts.net

Hear from PAN’s past participants on the impact it has had on their lives: ‘The Voices of PAN’ YouTube: https://youtu.be/lDSBlHlG9H8