To interview Nigel Mansell without asking a single question about Formula 1 may seem bizarre, considering that virtually every journalist and their dog would be itching to ask the former world champion his opinions on team orders or who’s going to win the title or his time in F1. Yet to talk to him about F1 seemed like a dis-service. That’s because Mansell, along with his 2 sons Greg and Leo as well as professional cyclists Ian Williams and Magnus Backstedt are cycling straight through the pain barrier by riding 1300 miles around Britain in under a fortnight, all to raise money and awareness for the charity UK Youth and its new Positive About Youth campaign. Clearly, given the physical torture Mansell is putting himself through, the charity and the work it does is close to his heart. It only seemed right to focus on this, rather than his illustrious motor racing career.

The bike challenge marks UK Youth’s centenary year. However, despite the fact that the charity has seen 5 monarchs and 20 Prime Ministers come and go since its formation, it still remains relatively unheard of. As Mansell himself puts it, “If you stop people in the street, how many of them will have heard of UK Youth?” That is the main aim of the bike ride, to raise awareness and visibility as well funds. So what is it about the charity that endears it so much to Nigel Mansell? The biggest factor is the charity’s willingness to work with young people from all sorts of different backgrounds. Mansell then proceeds to list some astonishing figures about the work of the charity. UK Youth’s army of 45,000 volunteers, affiliated with 7,000 youth clubs, help 750,000 young people a year. However, there are still thousands of young people who get thrown out of or can’t get into education a year. The thing that Mansell likes particularly is that UK Youth will never turn away a single person.

Currently, young people in Britain are perceived extremely negatively, with Mansell claiming that around 75% of the media’s coverage of young people is negative. All this hysteria and negativity is something that Mansell doesn’t agree with, saying that “Young people are so positive and have an answer for everything.” Mansell and UK Youth want to build on this positivity by, as he put it, “empowering young people with education and knowledge.” This, he believes is the best way forward in the fight to improve the perception of young people. If they have the knowledge, they are then able to go on and make a success of their lives.

Preparation for the cycle challenge began back in January, not ideal considering that Mansell and company are covering 1300 miles in 13 days. And Mansell felt the effects of his lack preparation on Day 1 of the challenge when he damaged part of his right hamstring. A bizarre acupuncture remedy seems to have ensured that Mansell can cross the finish line in London on Tuesday August 3rd . That will be the culmination of a torturous fortnight of sleep deprivation, eating problems and extreme fatigue. “Every day seems harder than the last” complains his eldest son Leo. Yet, the support the group are getting from the public has been exceptional. Mansell says that despite seeming as though they are running on empty “when we see peoples faces, energy and support, it gives us energy to go on. The support has been marvellous.”

From the short period of time spent talking to Mansell about the charity it’s work and the bike ride itself, it became crystal clear that this is a cause he believes in and thinks is worthwhile. He can see the potential in this generation of young people and that drives him on in order to keep up with the charity work and strive to improve the perception of young people in this country. Once this incredible feat is completed, the Mansells will undoubtedly want to rest for days on end. And no-one will be able to say that they don’t deserve it.

By Chris Sykes