Homeward bound

Over 300 miles and a stupid bike - what am I waiting for?

Earlier this year I decided I wanted an adventure. If you know me you know I love walking, so usually I'd pick a trail and get out there. But after moving up to the Peak District I realised I had a bike in the garage at my Dad's on the south coast, and it just didn't feel right to drive and get a sustainable mode of transport.

And so, here I go - homeward bound.

On Monday 3rd October I'll be setting off to cycle the 320+ miles home. I'll be fundraising for two amazing charities that mean a lot to me, because if I'm going to do something this painful I definitely want to raise money at the same time. Find out more about why I'm supporting the Campaign Against Miserably (CALM) and High Peak Homeless Help below.

And if that wasn't enough to make you donate...

...then let me tug on your heart strings some more. Life is tough right now. My personal life is taking a battering, so I haven't trained enough, I'm terrified of this stupid adventure I've set out to do, and I have no idea if I can do this. I'm pulling on all the mental strength I've built up over the years and decided to go ahead and do this, as I know the outdoors is what I need right now, but I know this is going to be physically, emotionally and mentally tough.

Your sponsorship will keep me going as I cycle 320+ miles back home. If you live near New Mills in the High Peak you are welcome to join me for a pint at the Beer Shed on Thursday 13th October.

Follow my journey on Insta @inaword_awesome.

Wish me luck.

Who I'm fundraising for:

As I give back wherever possible I've decided to fundraise too, splitting everything I raise between the Campaign Against Living Miserably (aka CALM) and High Peak Homeless Help.

CALM are a cause incredibly close to my heart, doing life-saving work around suicide prevention. Losing my partner in crime when I was 18 almost destroyed me, a trauma that still shapes who I am. 125 people a week in the UK take their lives, CALM work tirelessly to change that.

And at the beginning of the pandemic I found myself a very privileged sort of homeless. After sub-letting the flat to go travelling just before lockdown suddenly I had nowhere to go. Moving between temporary places made me so grateful that I had the means to do that, as well as network of friends and family to lean on. I'll never take the roof over my head for granted again.

Others don't have that. High Peak Homeless Help give people in need a place to go, providing emergency accomodation through their volunteer network. It felt right to focus on my new community to give back in a way that made a difference.

For both causes every penny counts, so whatever you can spare is so appreciated; thank you.