Cloudy and rainy weather conditions did not stop 10-year-old Layla Licorish this morning, July 7, as she rode for action to be taken in climate change.
The ride, which signalled the start of the Barbados Youth Climate Summit and Expo taking place from July 7 to 9, took about one hour and twenty minutes to complete.
Cheering on Layla just before the start at the St. John’s Parish Church, Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Charles Griffith, spoke to the cyclist about her training and her thoughts about the ride.
During their conversation, Layla assured the youth Minister that she could do it. The ride started at about 6:00 a.m. with the Minister signalling for Layla and her team to go.
There were no stoppages during the ride and the team arrived at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex, to cheers of the crowd gathered there.
The 10-year-old, who was accompanied by her dad, Randy Licorish, and members of her cycle team said, “I feel good that I have accomplished it.” When asked about any difficulty during the ride, the young cyclist stated that the most difficult part for her, was going down Gun Hill in St. George.
After the ride, students, climate activists, members of the Ashley Lashley Foundation and partners for the Barbados Youth Climate Action Summit and Expo journeyed from the car park at the Garfield Sobers Sports Complex to the Barbados Community College.
Over the years, the Ashley Lashley Foundation has cemented its commitment to social development matters, such as environmental justice, health and wellness and women’s rights.
The Foundation uses its voice to bring greater awareness to major environmental and health issues affecting small island developing states, including the health impacts of climate change.
The Barbados Youth in Action Summit and Expo on July 8th and 9th, 2022 will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.