Ryan Swain to Attempt World Record in Skateboarding For Charity Mind

Ryan Swain from Malton has been training over the last 9 weeks to set a Guinness World Record skateboarding challenge in aid of Mind UK, the mental health charity. He is being supported as an athlete by the Olympic governing body for skateboarding, Skateboard GB, so is now representing his country.

The avid skateboarder will be attempting to skate over 300 miles in just 24 hours at Elvington Airfield on May 8, 2023, the equivalent of 13 full marathons in a day. He will be the first ever UK skateboard to attempt the challenge – the furthest distance travelled on a skateboard in 24 hours is 261.8 miles which was achieved by Andrew Andras from the US at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida, on January 7 to 8, 2013.

Ryan has been garnering local support from businesses who have sponsored him including Groovy Moos Ice Cream, Swallow & Sons, The Patisserie Malton, Smash, The Rusty Fox, Gary Tooby Automotive Services, Number One Health & Beauty, McMillans Of Malton, Fox’s Butchers, The Whole Hogg Farmshop & Tearoom and PLUM. Those businesses alone have helped Ryan raise communally £650 in sponsors.

Ryan has been skateboarding since he was around 12 years old and he is now training three times a week at Everyone Active’s Derwent swim and fitness centre in Norton where he has been given a year’s free pass to train ahead of his challenge in May.

He said: “I will be dedicating my life to this challenge for the next four months with the hope and aim to raise as much money and awareness for the charity Mind UK as possible, and also to try and encourage as many people of all generations to speak out about their own mental health and recognise signs and symptoms.

“There will be lots of discipline around diet, exercise and focussing, and a lot of blood, sweat, tears and aches before and after the challenge. I will be documenting my progress with videos online.

“I feel excited but also scared. This is an incredibly exhilarating challenge which requires not just athleticism but skill and focus. All these things I have been working really hard on over the years. I’m most scared of getting injured, especially in the lead up to the event as I’ve put so much hard work in already to represent the charity and my country. 

“It is a test of stamina, resilience and perseverance but I am more than confident it can be achieved and I will, pardon the pun, push it to the limit to bring this Guinness World Record to the UK and, most importantly, back home to Yorkshire for the first time ever.”

The presenter and skateboarder has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a condition that affects a person’s behavior.

Ryan said: “I am a huge advocate of mental health with my focus being around ADHD awareness. For me, volunteers at Mind go out of their way to fight your corner. They believe everyone with a mental health problem should be able to access excellent care and services. They provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. And, like myself, they campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding, which is needed within society more than ever right now. I always say that mental health isn’t a destination but a process; it’s about how you drive and not where you are going.”

If you would like to support Ryan, and Mind, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ryanswain24hoursskate or for more information

What it is like to live with ADHD!

I am an optimist and always speak positively and passionately about ADHD. But today I wanted to share my views on what it is actually like to live with at times and how it's been affecting me recently. ADHD is a mix of everything a culmination of all mental health disorders in one.

You will fit in everywhere but nowhere. You're perceived to be full of confidence yet at times have none. You can come across to others that you're really full of yourself even though you're not or not meaning to be and are aware of all of your faults. You are capable of absolutely anything yet sometimes you are not motivated to do a thing. Witty and charismatic but have a low tolerance for people. You are incredible at giving others advice and helping them but follow none of it yourself. You are most likely a genius but have trouble handling your own emotions at times. You are an extrovert who needs personal space. You love being different but hate being misunderstood. Have brilliant ideas but lack the patience sometimes to follow them through. You will have more interests than anyone you know but get bored of them very easily. You can easily understand the thoughts of others but find it hard to translate your own. Always compassionate and loving to a point your good nature gets exploited and you're taken advantage of. People will always misunderstand you. Self reflection can be hard to deal with and to accept but without it you can not grow as a person both physically, mentally or emotionally.

This goes out to anyone with ADHD or a mental health disorder or who are struggling with anxiety and depression right now. You're hero's, there's nothing more scary than having to wake up every single day and battle your mind.

Iconic halfpipe ramp at Norton & Malton Skatepark officially reopens!

The iconic halfpipe at Norton & Malton Skatepark on Norton Road, Malton, has officially reopened after getting the all clear from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). The ramp, which has been supported by world famous riders such as Tony Hawk, Bam Magera and Jamie Bestwick, is one of only two freestanding and free-to-use halfpipes in the country.

Ryan Swain, who started and spearheaded the 19 month campaign to save the ramp alongside skate park designers King Ramps, said: "It was a challenge campaigning to save and protect the halfpipe and skatepark.

“Norton and Malton hasn't just got a good skatepark but has one of the best skateparks in North Yorkshire, and now the halfpipe is back, riders and users will travel nationally and internationally to use it.

"I'd like to personally thank #rescuetheramp team Mark Scott, Dinah Keal, Rachel Henley, Marc Fothergill, Martin Brampton, Rob Jester, James Lindenberg and anyone else who has supported us along the way.

"I'd also like to thank Ryedale District Council and Cllr Keane Duncan for supporting me in the bid and push and finally awarding us the £50,000 funding to finish to project.

"The Halfpipe could help young people take their talents to a higher level of riding. If it keeps just one young person off the streets and getting into crime and negativity then our job is done."

The official reopening ceremony for the ramp will take place on Sunday October 2 from 9am-4pm with professional riders and sponsors, competitions for Skateboarding, BMX, Inline Skates and Scooters and live music from Nine Banks, Juri Juices and a live DJ.

Halfpipe Gets A Blue Plaque

Ryan also explained that the team have installed their own ‘blue plaque’ to commemorate the importance the ramp has for the community.

"The halfpipe could help young people flourish their skills and if you pardon the pun help them take their talents to a higher level of riding.

"Even if it keeps just one young person off the streets and getting in to crime and negativity then our job is done,” he said.

"The campaign for me was more than just the skatepark it was about fighting what is right and what is wrong and making a groundbreaking, positive change within my community." 

An official ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 2, at Norton skatepark from 10am to 4pm to mark the opening of the ramp.

Double Win - Ryan Crowned York Press Community Pride Person Of The Year and BBC Make A Difference Award Winner.

A FUNDRAISER and presenter in North Yorkshire was awarded for his work in the local community during a brand new BBC awards ceremony last week.

Ryan Swain, from Norton, won The Together Award in the first ever BBC Make A Difference Awards on Friday (October 21). The prize was awarded to an individual or group of people who create real change by breaking down barriers and bringing together people from different walks of life for a common cause. 

Ryan won the accolade for his work to make his local community a better place, including his fundraising work. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he helped to raise more than £25,000 for NHS Charities Together by streaming live DJ sets and entertainment on his different social media channels.

He also recently spearheaded and led a group of campaigners called '#rescuetheramp' who secured £50,000 to help Norton Town Council refurbish Norton and Malton Skate Park and its renowned half-pipe ramp. Ryan went on to rebuild the entire facility alongside King Ramps.

The half-pipe was reopened in early October - after it was given the official go ahead by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) following more than 18 months of local campaigning.

The campaign was supported by world renowned action sports athletes including skateboarder Tony Hawk and BMX professional Jamie Bestwick.

The team have installed their own ‘blue plaque’ to commemorate the importance the ramp has for the community. Ryan said he is "incredibly proud" of what he's achieved with help from his campaign team and community - and he is excited to see all generations enjoying the facility and their skills flourishing.

Ryan also skateboarded 100 miles across North Yorkshire for Cancer Research UK, completing the route iin just three days raising both funds and awareness for charity. He has also regularly visited schools, colleges and community groups to give motivational talks about ADHD and mental health voluntarily.

Ryan,  who was born with a heart defect and had to have major heart surgery when he was four, said he had no idea that he had won the prestigious award and that it shocked him.

On being nominated for the prize, he said: "I'm truly speechless. Hopefully some of the things I have achieved this year will be a beacon for others, to make positive changes in and around their communities. I would personally like to thank you all for your continued support. Here's to next challenge."

Ryan won the Together Award, which was presented to him at the end of the ceromony held at York Racecourse on Friday.

Earlier this month, Ryan also won the Person of the Year prize at The Press' Community Prise awards.

York Community Pride Award Winners announced Ryan wins “Person Of The Year” Award

A charity fundraiser, skateboarder and entertainer, who helped keep up the morale of NHS staff and care workers during the Covid-19 pandemic with a popular gameshow he streamed every day, won the top prize at last night's prestigious York Community Pride Awards, held at The Principal Hotel.

Keen skateboarder Ryan Swain, who was born with a heart defect and had to have major heart surgery when he was four, was named York Community Pride 'person of the year'.

Ryan, who lives in Malton, entertained NHS staff, carers and keyworkers during the Covid-19 pandemic with his popular 'Play Your Cards Right' gameshow - featuring regular celebrity guests - which he streamed daily.

He also helped to raise more than £25,000 for NHS Charities Together by streaming live DJ sets on social media - and was part of a group of campaigners who secured £50,000 to help Norton Town Council refurbish Malton Skate Park and its renowned half-pipe ramp.

He skateboarded 100 miles across North Yorkshire for Cancer Research UK - and also regularly visited schools, colleges and community groups to give motivational talks about ADHD.

He had no idea until last night that he had won the prestigious award - but on being nominated earlier this year, told The Press: "I'm truly speechless. Hopefully some of the things I have achieved this year will be a beacon for others ..to make positive changes in their communities."

More than 100 local heroes were nominated for awards last night, in categories ranging from carer of the year and health service hero to best community project and 'child of the year'.

Yorkshire BMX-loving teenager's memory lives on at new Norton & Malton skate park after tragic death.

Tom Warrington, from Malton, died in 2008 but was a regular seen with his BMX in tow at Malton & Norton Skatepark. A commemorative plaque has gone up at a skate park in North Yorkshire that is currently being repaired to pay tribute to a "much loved character".

Tom Warrington, who was a regular at Norton Skate Park, died in 2008 after his car hit a tree near Whitby. The Malton man, who was 18 when he died, was a regular at the skate park, which has been at the centre of a dispute over the last year to be repaired.

Ryan Swain, who has helped lead the campaign to fix the skate park, took it upon himself to install the blue commemorative plaque to Mr Warrington. He said: "He was a much loved character at the skatepark and beyond.

"After a lot of organising and planning I have taken the liberty to get this very special blue commemorative plaque in memory of someone myself and many others loved greatly at the skatepark and was the soul of it for many years down there, Thomas Lloyd Warrington.

"Since his death in 2008 many of us have always said or tried to get some sort of commemorative piece for him at the skatepark as he truly loved it down there and met so many amazing people at the facility. Tom was one of the finest BMX talents to come out of Malton. But above all he was one of the most charming, fun loving, kind-hearted and generous spirits many of us have ever known.”

"Now with the repairs taking place and the rebirth and rejuvenation of the Malton & Norton Skatepark we thought that it was the time to finally pay that tribute to Tom at the park he has always deserved and give him his own ramp which he loved getting gnarly on so much, the L Ramp.

"Now a little piece of him will always be flying over us down there whether you are a user or just simply passing by. Tom tragically passed away in 2008 but his legacy will live on through one of the things he loved doing the most, BMXing.

"All I ask is that users respect and honor this as he was so loved within our community and beyond."

Norton & Malton skatepark reopens after refurbishment campaign success

A POPULAR skate park has officially reopened following a full refurbishment after a successful campaign from local riders.

Malton skate park officially reopened to the public on Monday afternoon – after a safety inspection from RoSPA on the restored site.

Campaigners, led by local skateboarder Ryan Swain, have worked hard to refurbish the park and now it’s ready for use including a couple of new ramps.

Mr Swain said he is “excited” to seeing all generations flood through the gates to use the facility once again.

He said: “They were very complimentary, which means it’s now officially open and everyone can use it, which is going to be great in the summer for all generations to come and use it and enjoy it.

“I just wanted to thank each and everyone of you who supported, donated, volunteered and contributed to the campaign. My message to anyone out there, if you truly believe in something then stand up and fight a good fight to make it happen.”

The work on the site has been completed by King Ramps, owned by pro skater Pete King, as they took the lead on the work. But, Ryan has also been on hand helping out with the repairs.

Ryan said the next step is to put Norton and Malton “well and truly on the map” within the action sports community by repairing the halfpipe once and for all.

The restoration of the halfpipe at the site is set the be voted on at a later date. It was at risk of being torn down as to the council needed to secure funds for its maintenance, with councillors describing it as a “financial liability”.

But, Ryan’s campaign caught the eye of renowned professional Tony Hawk and persuaded councillors to keep it open last year.

The ramp, which opened 21 years ago, is thought to be the country’s largest. It is the only one in the north and just one of 10 in the country which is free to use.

A blue plaque has also been put in place at a newly repaired skate park in honour of a “much loved” BMX rider from the area.

The blue commemorative plaque has gone up at Malton skate park to pay tribute Tom Warrington, from the area, who sadly passed away in 2008.

Mr Swain requested that the blue plaque was put up in Tom’s memory.

“Tom was one of the finest BMX talents to come out of Malton. But above all he was one of the most charming, fun loving, kind-hearted and generous spirits many of us have ever known. Now, a little piece of him will always be flying over us down there,” Ryan said.

Volunteers strip out historic half pipe as Malton skate park revamp begins.

Ryan and a group of community volunteers have stripped back the half pipe structure in preparation of giving it a face lift. Volunteers and campaigners got the wheels turning on a revamp of the skate park and "historic" half pipe in Malton.

It was felt that the ramp would remain closed off to the public after the two councils who have helped sustain it were hesitant to commit to a restoration campaign that was being spearheaded by local resident and skater Ryan Swain.

The skate park, in Norton Road, has been maintained for years by Norton Town Council but, after concerns that they would not be able to find funds to fix the ageing facility, they voted to transfer its upkeep onto the community through a project under its Malton and Norton Area Partnership scheme.

Mr Swain has been campaigning to refurbish the skate park and specifically the "historic" 20-year-old half pipe - which is thought to be the country's largest, and is the only one in the North which is free to use.

Members of the scheme, which is being named #RescueTheRamp, successfully stripped back the structure at the weekend in preparation for a sanding down and repainting refurbishment in the next stage of the project.

Mr Swain said: "We needed to strip back all of the decaying and rotting wood. We had a look around the infrastructure of the halfpipe, and there's good news as 90% of the metal is in good condition.

"The remaining 10% is a little damaged, but it's nothing that can't be salvaged or repaired. The volunteers here are all from different walks of life, but we're bound together as a community.

"We've brought this project together to make something better for the whole community and for future generations.

"One of the hardest bits is over, so going forward into Phase 2 we need to go back down as a communal team to sand down and pain the ramp.”

"We then need to call in the ramp building company supporting us to come and relay the ramp so that it's good to ride."

Mr Swain has said that he has also attracted "attention from a major sponsor for the campaign", which he couldn't provide the name of.

He added: "We hope the MNAP (Malton and Norton Area Partnership) project will help us, and then the Council will hopefully give us permission to relay the wood at the facility.

"I'm hoping for a grand opening event once it's all done to attract supporters, sponsors and celebrities to come down and show their support. And a professional display form the Olympic skateboarding team - Skateboard GB and professionals. It's the rejuvenation of not just the skatepark, but the whole youth factor in all of Ryedale."

Mr Swain says that the group now has to wait now for Norton Town council and the Fitzwilliam Estate, which owns the land, to approve proposals of both the potential sponsorship and grant permission for to relay the ramp and complete the project ready for use.

Rescue The Ramp Campaign

Over the last 18 months I have been making some serious noise around my campaign to save and refurbish the halfpipe in my hometown of Malton, North Yorkshire.

The Ryedale Skatepark ramp has remained untouched since it was first installed in 2001, and over the two decades since, has understandably fallen into a state of disrepair. Now, in the wake of local council members opposing the skatepark's soon to be renewed lease, Ryan has taken it upon himself to not only secure the future of the skatepark, but to see the halfpipe also restored to its former glory.

Over the course of the last few weeks, Ryan has earned the campaign some significant media attention, even gaining the support of luminaries such as Tony Hawk, Bam Magera, Christian Hosoi, Bucky Lasek, Danny Way, and from the BMX world, Jamie Bestwick.