A Crystal Palace-born CentrePoint Team Leader is targeting completing the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 in 2019 after being inspired by a project encouraging young people into cycling.

Jack Badu, 28, took part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46 and witnessed young people who had previously never ridden a bike take on the challenge despite torrential weather.

The Dulwich resident was boosted by the incredible support of the public in helping him to complete the energy-sapping ride.

Badu is part of the PruGOals programme, which is working with 500 youngsters aged 16-18 to build their confidence and encourage personal motivation.

He said: “Wimbledon Hill was probably the most amazing bit, where you could see a lot of people struggling, and if you’ve got that little kick to push through - it’s unbelievable.

“The most impressive thing was the support, and the amount of people that came out to just cheer people on.

“For a lot of young people, some of them had never been on a bike before, or never ridden a road bike, so many aspects of spending time with one or two people, going around London has been really cool.

“It’s been good fun going around on a bike – some of the cycle paths are amazing.

“It’s a different community within London, and you can definitely feel that on the day when there’s a decent level of camaraderie amongst everyone.”

Prudential’s PruGOals programme is run in partnership with charity partners Greenhouse Sports, Transformation Trust, Centre Point, Dame Kelly Holmes Trust and Teach First.

The role of the partnership is to empower young people to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential regardless of social or economic background.

And Badu believes more young people should be encouraged to take up cycling in the capital after seeing the positive support from the public and the inspiring stories of other Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 46 riders.

“The young people are really inspiring. Some of the journeys that they’ve been on and their dedication.

“If they can do it, there’s no reason why I can’t do it - the young people have really inspired me.

“Hopefully this can grow, and we can see a different demographic on the roads cycling because I feel like for a lot of young people maybe their parents might say that cycling in the city is quite dangerous, when actually if you do it properly it’s the best way to get around.”

PruGOals is an initiative set up by Prudential to empower young people to drive their ambitions and fulfil their potential regardless of social or economic background. For more information, visit prugoals.co.uk