
British Skater's 2,414 km journey from Brighton to Tangier for mental health awareness
21-year-old British national Sam Allison has embarked on an extraordinary journey to skateboard 2,414 kilometers from Brighton, England, to Tangier, Morocco. His goal is to raise funds for the Ben Raemers Foundation, which supports mental health within the skateboarding community.
Allison told the BBC that he felt compelled to support the charity after skateboarding helped him cope with his own mental health struggles.
«I did not realize how much it could impact your life until my own negative experience», he said. «Ever since then, I have had it in the back of my mind to raise awareness for mental health [in the skating community]».
Allison, who is already experiencing foot pain, plans to skate roughly 48.2 kilometers a day for 55 days. He's carrying all his essentials in a large backpack—including clothes, cooking gear, a sleeping bag, a tent, and spare skateboard wheels.
His friend Lucas Perrin will accompany him by bicycle for parts of the journey, helping to keep his spirits up, ensure he stays hydrated, and make sure he doesn't get lost.
Allison said that since announcing the challenge, people have started reaching out to him in support. He set off last Wednesday from Brighton toward Newhaven, where he planned to take a ferry to France, joined by a group of fellow skaters.

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Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Ya Biladi
British Skater's 2,414 km journey from Brighton to Tangier for mental health awareness
21-year-old British national Sam Allison has embarked on an extraordinary journey to skateboard 2,414 kilometers from Brighton, England, to Tangier, Morocco. His goal is to raise funds for the Ben Raemers Foundation, which supports mental health within the skateboarding community. Allison told the BBC that he felt compelled to support the charity after skateboarding helped him cope with his own mental health struggles. «I did not realize how much it could impact your life until my own negative experience», he said. «Ever since then, I have had it in the back of my mind to raise awareness for mental health [in the skating community]». Allison, who is already experiencing foot pain, plans to skate roughly 48.2 kilometers a day for 55 days. He's carrying all his essentials in a large backpack—including clothes, cooking gear, a sleeping bag, a tent, and spare skateboard wheels. His friend Lucas Perrin will accompany him by bicycle for parts of the journey, helping to keep his spirits up, ensure he stays hydrated, and make sure he doesn't get lost. Allison said that since announcing the challenge, people have started reaching out to him in support. He set off last Wednesday from Brighton toward Newhaven, where he planned to take a ferry to France, joined by a group of fellow skaters.


Morocco World
20-05-2025
- Morocco World
Morocco's ONMT Launches Strategic Tourism Plans for Fez, Ouarzazate
Rabat — Morocco's National Tourism Office (ONMT) has unveiled two ambitious tourism revival plans, 'Shining Fez' and 'Rising Ouarzazate,' to boost these historic destinations on the international market. The office announced this plan as part of its global vision to level up the attractiveness of Morocco's tourism cities and sites. This time it is 'a strategy to reposition two heritage jewels, Fez and Ouarzazate,' according to ONMT. These plans aim to revitalize these high-potential regions through partnerships with local authorities and tourism operators. Three-prong approach Implementation of the revitalization plans focuses on three key strategies, namely building awareness through media coverage and educational tours, strengthening partnerships with travel agencies, and improving air connectivity. 'Shining Fez' The 'Shining Fez' plan includes several high-impact media and commercial initiatives. TV5 Monde will broadcast a documentary on Fez cuisine from May 11-21, featuring the medina's rich culinary traditions. France 2 will produce 'The Artisans of Morocco,' showing the region's traditional crafts, while M6 will feature the spiritual capital in its 'Minute Voyage' series. In the UK market, BBC will dedicate an episode of 'Clive Myrie's African Adventure' to Fez. Travel website Travelzoo will create a dedicated Fez page with special offers from partner tour operators running from April 2025 to April 2026. On the commercial front, two major campaigns with French travel agencies Carrefour Voyages and Havas Voyages will focus on 'gastronomy, local products, and craftsmanship.' Fez will also host a workshop with premium sales platform Voyage Privé and participate in Spain's Travel Connect trade show to connect directly with distributors. Travel agents will receive training through webinars, online courses, and e-learning modules, including a specific Fez-Meknes module to enhance their knowledge of the destination. The image strategy includes hosting press trips, influencers, and content creators from the French, German, Italian, and British markets. 'Rising Ouarzazate' The 'Rising Ouarzazate' plan takes a complementary approach, repositioning the city as an exceptional destination at the crossroads of desert, cinema, and immersive experiences. ONMT plans to produce audiovisual content in the UK, focusing on Ouarzazate's film history, displaying the region's legendary studios and spectacular landscapes that have served as backdrops for major productions. The region will also sponsor a British film in competition, with special visibility at the UK Film Festival, featuring its natural scenery. Major European media outlets are involved, including Italian channel RAI 3, which filmed an episode of the program 'GEO' in Ouarzazate, focusing on the relationship between the territory, nomadic culture, and Amazigh traditions. Sky TV's culinary show Gamberorosso will dedicate a special episode to southern Moroccan cuisine in October. Ouarzazate will host several major events, most notably the Desert Women's Summit in the second half of 2025, bringing together 150 female leaders from around the world to experience the spiritual intensity and inspirational power of the Moroccan desert. The city will also welcome two major Spanish tourism conventions: CEAV (100 travel agents) in October and IDEMICE for the MICE network, as well as a Frameless event centered on artistic and sensory immersion. Like Fez, Ouarzazate's plan includes international workshops, online training modules, and press and influencer trips throughout the second half of 2025. Special attention will focus on developing direct connections to these destinations, complementing efforts already made for the summer 2025 season. With these twin plans, ONMT is sending the message that it's treating each destination as unique, with tailored approaches and local collaboration. Fez and Ouarzazate are set to reclaim their prominence as part of a strategy targeting all of Morocco's tourism territories and destinations.


Morocco World
02-05-2025
- Morocco World
UKEF CEO Tim Reid: Morocco Serves as Strategic Gateway to African Markets
Doha – British export credit is making inroads across North Africa with an ambitious financing package, as Morocco accelerates preparations for major sporting events and a wider continental expansion. From transformative rail projects and airport upgrades to new sports infrastructure, renewable energy, and green hydrogen initiatives, the country's booming development pipeline is drawing heightened interest from global financiers. Tim Reid, Chief Executive Officer of UK Export Finance (UKEF), recently conducted an official visit to Morocco in April. During his trip, the second to the country, Reid met with government officials and private sector leaders, seeking to identify new avenues for collaboration and investment. Granting an exclusive interview to Morocco World News (MWN), Reid outlined the agency's £5 billion commitment to Moroccan projects, positioning the kingdom as a strategic launching point for British commercial interests throughout Africa. This substantial financial envelope was announced in late 2022. It provides support for both public and private sector initiatives across the country. 'Whether you are a government official considering a new infrastructure project or a private company with ambition in energy efficiency, we can help. In return we ask for a commitment to sourcing at least 20% of the contract value from the UK,' Reid stated. The British export credit agency has pinpointed World Cup-related developments as a key focus area. This interest aligns with Morocco's massive $23 billion investment program triggered by the upcoming global sporting events. 'Typically, the kind of things we help with concern infrastructure like rail and roads, or energy such as new renewable projects,' Reid conveyed. 'In Morocco, we are focusing on World Cup related projects as we are keen to be part of this exciting adventure,' he noted, referring to Morocco's preparations to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Continental ambitions accelerate through Moroccan partnership Reid remarked that UKEF views Morocco not only as an important market in itself but also as a strategic entry point to broader African opportunities. 'Morocco is important to us for its own potential but also a gateway to Africa. Many Moroccan companies and banks have presence across the African continent which will allow UKEF to support further opportunities in African countries,' he explained. The agency has established a robust presence across Africa with country heads based in six countries: Morocco, Egypt, Kenya, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and South Africa. With over 100 years of experience, it operates as the world's leading export credit agency. According to Reid, UKEF currently maintains a total exposure of £10 billion in Africa, providing approximately £1 billion annually to support various projects across the continent. François Pannetier, Regional Head for Africa, accompanied Reid during his Moroccan tour, indicating UKEF's serious commitment to expanding its African portfolio. The visit follows a prior stop in Egypt. 'Africa represents 1/3 of UKEF's global pipeline,' Reid disclosed, revealing the continent's strategic importance to British export finance operations. Reid acknowledged that while UKEF has not yet finalized any transactions with Moroccan companies, the agency remains engaged in 'productive discussions with Moroccan companies regarding a diverse range of sectors in the country and beyond, especially in West Africa.' Sustainable development at the center As part of his visit, Reid met with various stakeholders, including the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) in Benguerir, where discussions centered on energy and sustainability projects. He also held talks with Brahim Benmoussa, Secretary General of Morocco's Ministry of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies, exploring collaborative opportunities both within Morocco and across Africa. UKEF's approach remains 'sector agnostic,' open to supporting projects in all sectors except fossil fuels, while maintaining flexibility regarding UK content requirements with the condition of utilizing the UK supply chain. The agency is particularly interested in sectors including renewable energy, water infrastructure, transportation, and digital transformation—areas that match Morocco's national development priorities. The growing economic relationship follows the UK-Morocco Association Agreement that came into force three years ago, which has helped boost bilateral trade to its highest level of £3.8 billion (approximately 46 billion MAD). Beyond the financial side, the Xlinks project represents another cornerstone of the Rabat-London partnership, aiming to deliver Moroccan solar and wind power to Britain through what would become the world's longest undersea cable. With a $29.9 billion total investment, it plans to establish 11.5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity in Morocco's Guelmim Oued Noun region, connected via a 4,000-kilometer undersea cable to southwest England. On the ground, UKEF operations in Morocco are coordinated by Country Head Meriem Bennani, who focuses on identifying viable opportunities and building relationships with key stakeholders. Reid stressed that potential partners don't need to present perfect proposals, just viable projects and a willingness to discuss how British suppliers could provide support. Read also: Morocco's Southern Provinces: 'A New Green Growth Corridor to the UK' Tags: Morocco UK relationsTim ReidUK Export Finance