A YOUNG entrepreneur from Almondsbury has taken part in a charity bike ride to help rehabilitate young men in prison and those at risk of going to jail.

Paul Randall, who heads online furniture store Rainbow Zebra, cycled from Almondsbury to Glastonbury in aid of Key4Life.

He joined a team from TC Office in Aztec West, which is an office furniture supplier to Rainbow Zebra - raising £1,000 for the charity.

Paul, 32, a former Marlwood School pupil, said: “Key4Life is a great charity and social venture which helps young men get their lives back on track again.

“They have helped keep the rate of reoffending down in the region, which is great news.”

Paul joined a team of six from TC Office and cycled more than 60 miles from their office – facing road-works, detours and punctured tyres along the way.

It took the team more than six hours before they arrived in Glastonbury, where the charity is based.

Key4Life has seen a massive drop in the reoffending rate thanks to the work they do. It stands at just 14 per cent in the areas they work in – London and the South West - compared to the national average of 64 per cent one-year post-release.

TC Office, which supplies furniture, storage and acoustics, has supported Key4Life for over two years through workshops, work experience and jobs, alongside one employee supporting as a volunteer mentor.

Key4Life, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary, provides mentors to men between the ages of 18 and 25 and helps to develop emotional resilience and employability skills.

Eva Hamilton MBE, Key4Life founder and CEO, said: “We are enormously grateful to Paul and the team at TC Office for their fantastic efforts raising vital funds for Key4Life.

“We also thank TC Office for their invaluable support over the last two years helping young men reintegrate in the community and the world of work.”

Dan Wooler and Iain Dunlop head the support for the charity at TC Office.

Iain, a health and safety manager for the group, said: “We feel this charity can make a real difference to the young men who take part, and to society as a whole. It makes complete sense so we felt compelled to offer our support.”

Iain has visited Portland prison in Dorset on numerous occasions to work with a young man he was paired with. He was also available for phone support.

This mentoring programme resulted in a work placement and then employment for the young man.

Liz Mazzotta, supply chain manager from TC Office, added: “The bike ride was tougher than expected, but worth it for such a great cause.

“We are delighted with the amount of money raised and are grateful to everybody who supported us.”

For more information about Key4Life, visit www.key4life.org.uk. To find out more about Paul's bike ride, visit www.rainbowzebra.co.uk.