After losing his parents as a teenager, Jeremy turned his heartbreak into hope. Combining his love of coffee and cycling, he started the ‘Velo Project’, a coffee bike raising funds for YMCA Exeter’s work with young homeless people. What could you do with a hot drink today?
At the end of 2023, we met Jeremy, a young university student with a big heart and an even bigger idea. Over coffee (his favourite thing), Jeremy told us his incredible story.
In 2019, while he was just a teenager, Jeremy tragically lost both of his parents within six months of each other: his dad to cancer and his mum to Motor Neurone Disease. The stability of his family life was gone, but his faith had remained a constant source of strength.
He told us that when he lost his parents, he had faced the sudden, terrifying possibility of homelessness at a young age. Thanks to a supportive network around him, he never had to face that reality. He told us that he knows not every young person is as lucky.
After starting Exeter University, Jeremy was troubled by the amount of homelessness and suffering visible on the streets. He felt God call him to action.
Jeremy told us that he wanted to use his passion for both coffee and cycling to build a coffee bike called the ‘Velo Project’, which he would travel across Exeter with, serving great coffee and starting important conversations about homelessness with his customers. He wanted to donate all the profits to the YMCA in Exeter.
We were amazed by his incredible generosity, not just financially but his willingness to give valuable time, resources and energy too.
Since that first coffee, Jeremy’s dream has become a reality! He can be found at different pitches across Exeter, events and weddings with his beautiful DIY coffee trike, serving delicious coffee (and branded T-shirts!) to raise money for YMCA Exeter’s work with young homeless people in the local area.
Jeremy not only had the entrepreneurial spirit to start this venture from scratch but had the compassion and generosity to use the project to make a meaningful difference in his community.
Peter Hall, YMCA Exeter
Reflect
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God". 2 Corinthians 1:4–5 (NIV)
Pray
Pray for those who have faced deep personal loss, that they may find strength and hope in God’s faithfulness. Ask for blessings over those who use their passions, skills, and creativity to address the needs they see in their communities. Pray for courage and compassion to respond to God’s call in your own life, using what you have to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Act
Acts for you to consider today:
| Take a drinks order from the people in your home or at work and make the teas/coffees for them. | ||
| Buy a coffee for a friend, mark it with their name and deliver it to them. | ||
| Pay forward a coffee in your favourite café – tell the cashier about #40acts and how people can sign up and get involved too! |
Share
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About YMCA Exeter
Inspired by Jesus' example, YMCA Exeter creates supportive, inclusive and energising communities where all young people can truly belong, contribute and thrive.
Their mission is to demonstrate Christ’s love through practical service – providing housing, health and wellbeing support, and opportunities for personal growth.
