Pictures John Hopkins
THE brother of Viola Beach guitarist River Reeves, Quin Dunne, teamed up with the BBC’s Matt Baker outside Warrington Parr Hall this morning, to take part in the Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge.
Quin was cycling from Warrington to Wrexham helping to raise awareness for young people’s mental health, and the support provided by BBC Children in Need.
The charity relay-style ride covers five days, Monday, 17 October, to Friday, 21 October, live on BBC Breakfast TV with Matt Baker chronicling their journey for an upcoming documentary called The Rickshaw Relay Rides Again.
Life seemed to stand still for Quin when he lost brother, River, aged 19, in a tragic accident in 2016. River was one of the four members of the band Viola Beach, who all died, along with their manager Craig Tarry, when their car came off a bridge in Sweden. It made headline news across the world but at home Quin and his family were left devastated and didn’t know where to turn. Thankfully they found Child Bereavement UK, who are funded by BBC Children in Need and offer counselling for children and young people who find themselves dealing with unthinkable grief.
Prior to setting off on his journey Quin said: “I’m really looking forward to taking part in the Rickshaw Relay. The BBC Children in Need funded Child Bereavement UK helped support me through one of the toughest moments in my life when I lost my brother, and that support was invaluable. I’m taking part in this challenge to give back and help other young people who are going through a tough time to get back on their feet.”
