The challenge raises funds to run Youth Future’s NEST program, which provides support to pregnant young mums and teen parents at risk of losing custody of their child due to various circumstances, such as homelessness and domestic violence.

It’s the third year for the Pipeline Challenge, which has been growing in participant numbers and hopes to attract 100 next year.

CCI education and training adviser Linda Winter says CCI was the event’s first sponsor and has continued the support each year.

She was on hand to present 16-year-old foster child Oli with an award for participating in the challenge.

“I felt a bit humbled as he had just completed what would have been a huge challenge for him,” she says.

“He was very excited at having finished the challenge and overwhelmed with it all.  Oli said he was very tired and looking forward to a long hot shower and sleeping in a bed.”

Youth Futures helps teenagers such as Oli, who has been in and out of foster care since he was two years old. The instability has impacted his school attendance.

In January, Oli joined the Ballajura Anchor Point program, which has seen his attendance record significantly improve.

When the chance to take part in the Pipeline Challenge was offered, he was excited to take it on, proving himself to be a team player, motivating and cheering on the other riders and offering them support on and off the bike.

Since completing the event, Oli has been motivated to improve his fitness. He is thriving at the program and his confidence in education has grown.

Winter says homelessness is a key reason for youth disengaging with education.

“It’s so important for our youth to complete education to lead into the workforce. We want to make sure there is a workforce for the future and sponsoring an event like this is CCI’s way of helping.”

► Connecting business to young people is what drives the Education Services team at CCI – and the education development fund is just one part of what they do. Read more.