London Schoolboy Undertakes Tube Challenge

British student Freddie Lynch thought up an incredibly creative and fun way to share the power of transportation and support World Bicycle Relief through his very own London Underground Challenge. On November 23, Freddie traveled the London Underground with a goal of touring 35-40 stations in one day! In order to prove that he had been at each station, he took a self-portrait by the station’s sign, then hopped back on the tube to make his way to the next stop!

Freddie learned about World Bicycle Relief through his mother’s work with the organization, and decided he too wanted to actively participate in changing the lives of kids in Africa through transportation.

Freddie’s admirable goal was to raise money for one Buffalo Bicycle. By the end of the challenge, he had raised over £1,000 ($1,600 USD)--enough funds for 13 bikes!

In preparation for the challenge, Freddie meticulously mapped out his route and calculated the time it would take to accomplish his goal. He also set up a fundraising page to recruit sponsors for the challenge. While flying through the London Underground, Freddie had to dodge crowds at the tourist hotspot Piccadilly Circus, twist and turn to get oddly placed signs in the background of his photos, and race to get on departing trains while rushing to his final stop of Vauxhall Station. Freddie notes, “I had an amazingly tiring and exciting day, going to 40 different Tube stations, changing on to 7 different lines and crossing into 6 London Boroughs. It was 5 ½ hours that I will never forget and I am very thankful to everybody who has supported me”.

A big thanks to Freddie for one of our favorite fundraising ideas from 2012!

View pics from Freddie's London Underground Challenge >