A youth worker is taking on a 50-mile cycling challenge to celebrate 50 years of the Deaf & Sensory Network.

Jez Matthews, youth services project co-ordinator at DSN, set off from the charity's Macclesfield office on Wednesday, September 9.

She will be ride to DSN's London Road office in Northwich before continuing to the finish line at DSN's Chester office, at the Chester Deaf Centre on South View Road.

The 50-mile route has been chosen to mark DSN's 50th anniversary, with every mile representing a year of the charity supporting deaf, deafblind and sensory-impaired people, families and communities across Cheshire and the surrounding areas.

Jez said: "I wanted to do something that really reflected the 50th anniversary, and cycling 50 miles between our three Cheshire offices felt like the perfect challenge.

"Through Youth Vibe I get to work with some brilliant young people and see the difference that having somewhere accessible, welcoming and inclusive can make.

"DSN has been supporting people and families across Cheshire for 50 years, so this is my way of celebrating that history while helping to raise money so that work can continue into the future.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge. I'm sure there'll be some tough miles along the way, but knowing why I'm doing it - and hopefully having plenty of people cheering me on - will keep me going all the way to Chester."

The challenge is part of a year of activity marking DSN's half century of supporting people with sensory loss.

Over five decades, the organisation has developed from its early roots supporting Cheshire's deaf community into a wide-ranging regional charity delivering services including youth provision, specialist social care, supported living, communication support, training and community-based projects.

Gill Reeder, CEO of DSN, said: "We are incredibly proud of Jez for taking on this challenge, and I can't think of a better way to mark 50 years than travelling between three of the Cheshire communities that are such an important part of DSN's story.

"Our anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate how far we have come, but also to recognise that everything DSN does is ultimately about people - the individuals and families we support, our staff and volunteers, and the communities that have supported us over the last five decades.

"Jez sees that impact first-hand through Youth Vibe, where young people are given the opportunity to make friends, build confidence, try new things and simply enjoy being themselves in an inclusive environment.

"50 miles is a huge challenge, and we'll be cheering her on from Macclesfield, through Northwich and all the way to the finish line in Chester."

Jez works within DSN's Youth Vibe service, which provides activities and youth sessions for young people aged eight to 18 who have a hearing loss, are a CODA (child of a deaf adult) or are friends with a deaf young person.

The sessions give young people opportunities to meet others, make friends, build confidence, try new experiences and spend time in an environment where communication and inclusion are at the heart of everything.

From crafting to climbing, cooking to an annual residential, the Youth Vibe programme is created with creativity and connection in mind.

Money raised through Jez's challenge will help DSN continue its work with communities across the region.

To find out more or donate, click here.