The Challenge

I'm excited to share that I'm taking on one of the most challenging cycling events in the UK: The Dragon Ride in Wales. This epic ride covers 214km (133miles) total distance and includes a staggering 3350m (10,991ft) of climbing. If that doesn’t sound tough enough, I’ll be doing it all in one day.

To put that into perspective, it's like riding across the UK from Blackpool to Hornsea and climbing the equivalent of Mt Snowdon three times.

I'm not just doing this for the challenge – who would be crazy enough to do that? I'm riding to raise crucial funds for Barnardo's, an incredible charity dedicated to improving the lives of the most vulnerable children and young people in the UK. Barnardo's provides essential support, from tackling child poverty to mental health services and disability support.

I’ve been training for the past 8 months to get myself ready for the challenge. But as the date draws near, i’m not convinced I’m going to be able to manage it!!!! However, I’m hoping that I’ll be able to draw on the knowledge that my efforts will make a real difference in the lives of children in need. Every grueling climb and every long mile will be driven by the thought of the positive change we can create together.

Leeds Building Society

In April 2024 we kicked off our three year partnership with Barnardo's with a view to support care experienced young people. Our goal is to raise a minimum of £100,000 per year.

Leaving home is a challenge for everyone, but young people leaving care often do so without the support of a loving family. Nowadays, many young people rely on their family long after they're 18. But young people who have spent time in care don’t always have that safety net. They might not have a family home to return to if something goes wrong, or a parent to phone when they aren’t sure how to fix a problem. They can feel almost entirely alone.

The money we raise will help young care-experienced people to:

• find somewhere to live, such as supported lodgings

• manage their money

• continue with their education

• find work or training

• look after their mental and emotional wellbeing