Thank you for visiting my JustGiving page.

My name is Joe, and this summer I will be cycling from Mexico City to New York City during the FIFA World Cup 2026. The journey is 5,000 km long, and I’ll be attempting to complete it in just 39 days - the exact length of time from the opening match in Mexico City to the final whistle in New York City on July 19th, 2026.

Beat The Final Whistle is the name of my campaign: a reflection of the challenge I’m taking on, but also a tribute to the thousands of people whose “final whistle” comes far too early. This cause is deeply personal to me, as I’ve faced my own struggles with mental health and know how vital awareness and support can be.

48 teams will compete in the tournament, representing a whopping quarter of the globe. It seems apt then, and poignant, to highlight that 1 in 4 of us will have experienced suicidal thoughts. It’s a statistic that is shocking as it is solvable. And change can occur with more attention, resources, and open conversation.

That universality is why I’ve chosen to raise funds for CALM, a charity dedicated to preventing suicide and supporting mental health. And what better stage to highlight this issue than the biggest global event of all? Research by the Premier League shows that 82% of fans believe football helps connect people, and 84% say it sparks conversations. Let’s use that power to make a difference.

80% of all donations will go directly to CALM to support their vital work, while the remaining 20% will cover essential costs such as transport, accommodation, and food - the logistics that make this challenge possible.

Along the way I'll be raising funds via various methods all encouraging to get people moving and feeling great. Whether it's a structured bout of activity, or a social kickabout, we can all find a way to find move that suits us. I've been putting on local community exercise classes, organising football tournaments, and undertaking 24hour bike rides with the gym community at Fitness Worx.

Thank you again for showing your interest! Any donations will help!

Follow along for the journey by following my Instagram page – joetheikiguy.