Roper's Story

One day in December 2002, Roper Peckham Cooper was surprised to find that his dad had come to pick him up from school. He was pleased, but his happiness turned into a terrible emptiness when Roper's father told him that his mum had been killed in a traffic accident that winters morning.

That night, Roper and his sisters talked and talked, and they all decided that - in their own ways - they would turn their lives into a testament of achievement for their parents. Roper's first act was to go back to school the next day and, shortly afterwards, to begin organising a sponsored bike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats. He completed the solo 907 mile journey over 11 days in August 2004, narrowly missing a landslide that blocked the main road for 2 days and winning a LEJOG cup for being the youngest solo cycle rider to cover the a distance. He dedicated the trophy to his mother, ensuring her name will be remembered in events history.

Roper is now involved in a huge range of activities, including the being an NCO in the RAF cadet section at his school, Chairing the Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council Youth Forum and sitting on NYA Steering Group and various other Government sponsored organisations and much more. He has also become a Diana Award Holder, and an Ambassador who introduces children from Years 5 and 6 to the Award which is now opened up to cover secondary schools also.

Road safety is an issue that is understandably close to Roper's heart, and he has recently initiated a safety campaign, backed by Halfords, in which he visits primary schools with his cycle and inspires pupils with his story. Looking further afield, he has founded a new African children's charity in honour of his mother, and is being supported in his work by volunteering organisation Timebank.

The Diana Award has opened many doors for Roper. "I am proud to be an Ambassador for the Award," he says, "The Award has been a springboard of opportunity for me, of which I take full advantage to increase my experience and help others. It has made me more productive as a person and within my community and I was invited to and I am standing for election to the Kent Youth County Council 2008 to ensure the voice of the youth in our area is heard".