Jamal takes on the Tour de France
After joining our GAME ON programme at a difficult time in his life, Jamal has gone from strength to strength, and now he’s conquered one of the toughest climbs in the Tour de France. Representing Palace for Life and supported by Le Loop, Jamal took on the iconic Col du Tourmalet, earning praise, respect, and even the Cyclist of the Day award.
Jamal first got involved with Palace for Life through our GAME ON programme. He was sign-posted by his social worker to Palace for Life’s employability programmes at a real low point in his life and threw himself into turning things around.
He was unemployed, out of education, and without a source of income, having previously faced challenges with the law. Jamal, now 23, began his journey with our Kick Off to Construction course and soon secured his first job at Selhurst Park. Since then, through ongoing one-to-one support, we worked closely with Jamal to identify his passions, develop key skills, and build his confidence. With the guidance of his dedicated coach, Tom Richardson, Jamal explored his interest in creative media, which ultimately led him to take the next big step: enrolling at university to study Film and TV.
His determination has also led to incredible opportunities. Jamal spoke at one of our Investors Club events, and more recently he had the incredible opportunity to take on a stage of the Tour de France, riding alongside our Employment Senior Coordinator, Tom Richardson. This milestone was born from Jamal’s growing interest in cycling, something we were proud to support through our Community Support Fund, which helped provide him with a bike, helmet, lights, and a lock. Not only has this enabled him to commute to university, but it also opened the door to this life-changing cycling experience.
This opportunity was in partnership with Le Loop. Every year, amateur cyclists follow each stage of the Tour de France, one week ahead of the professionals. Le Loop raises money for the William Wates Memorial Trust, helping the most disadvantaged young people keep away from a life of crime and violence and fulfil their potential.
Le Loop invites two young people to join the fundraiser from a partner charity every year, and this time, Jamal had the chance to take the challenge on.
On Friday 11th July 2025, Jamal and Tom flew out to the South of France to take on the Col du Tourmalet (one of the biggest mountains in the Pyrenees) in a 40km climb and descent (average 7.4% gradient) of stage 14 of the Tour de France.
Cycling up the Tourmalet, Jamal and Tom rode through the valleys surrounded by beautiful scenery, climbing uphill nonstop for four hours. They gained over 1,600 metres in height, that’s more than five times the height of The Shard!
But that proved no challenge for Jamal, who led the group for much of the ride and was often seen powering ahead in the distance. Fellow Le Loop riders were quick to notice his natural talent on the bike, made all the more impressive by the fact he tackled the climb in a pair of Vans, rather than proper cycling cleats!
But that wasn’t the only recognition Jamal received. That evening, Le Loop’s cycling lead, Ben Davies, awarded him Cyclist of the Day, marking the first time the award has ever been given to one of the two young riders invited through a partner charity.
This is just the start of something new for Jamal, and we have lofty heights for him, where we hope he will join a cycling club and realise his potential.
Chapeau Jamal.
If you would like to learn more about our GAME ON programme, you can do so here.
