During our Easter holiday 2022 we (the Hext Family) are cycling approximately 1000 miles from Land’s end to John O’ Groats, to raise money for 2 causes;

Cause 1: The Country Trust. www.countrytrust.org.uk This charity connects disadvantaged children to the land that sustains us all, through food, farming and countryside experiences. Disadvantaged children have been disproportionately affected during the COVID crisis and are now facing another challenge with the rising costs associated with the conflict in Ukraine. The Country Trust work with many groups including schools, refugees, young carers, nurture groups etc. We realise how fortunate we are to have the experiences that we do. We want all children to be able to have experiences that we are so lucky to have had.

• £20 would send a child with limited opportunities on a Farm Discovery Visit

• £60 will help a disadvantaged child go on a Countryside Discovery Residential

• £15 will fill a Farm in a Box full of activities for a school

• £10 would cover the cost of 1 Food Discovery session, teaching children to grow and cook their own food.

• £3.25 will cover the cost of one child taking part in Farm in a Box National programme

www.countrytrust.org.uk

Cause 2. The Rayner family are very good friends. In August 2021 Dom had a very serious bike accident on the “last ride of the holiday” on a remote mountain road on the Isle of Arran. He has been in hospital ever since. Due to his injuries, he will never walk again. Just before Christmas he was relocated one step closer to home, from Glasgow to Gobowen spinal unit. However due to COVID restrictions visiting has been restricted so Jane, Eleanor (9) and Owen (12), have still been unable to visit regularly to see their Dad. T he whole family are having to make significant changes to their lives, including adapting their home for when Dom eventually comes home, as well as trying to create opportunities where Dom can get back outdoors and enjoy activities with this family again.

We hope that by raising funds through this challenge it will go some way to help Dom can get back outdoors with the right equipment and enjoy activities with this family again.

The money will be split equally between the 2 causes.

We've been cycling since we could walk. We do lots of cycling, training, racing and just enjoy seeing new places from our bikes. When Rupert was 3 he and Ben cycled the first 10 miles from Land’s End on a-tag-a-long. In 2019 we circumnavigated the Isle of Arran. In 2020 we cycled from home to Scotland, then last summer we cycled the final 40km to John O’Groats. We’re now ready to join the dots!

Polly is aiming to do at least half of the distance, due to being on the autistic spectrum. This means that she will be able to rest when she needs it. Our grandparents have kindly offered to drive our support vehicle for some of the ride and we will self-support for parts of it.

We are just a normal family taking on a humongous challenge. We’ve done as much training as possible however are very aware that there is always more that we want to do and hills still feel very hilly! We believe that anything is possible if you set your mind to it. We know that it's going to be tough, but we like a challenge! We are looking forward to spending time together exploring the UK to raise money for the 2 causes that we feel strongly about.

Thanks for sponsoring us.