Three years ago, I had an idea. Wouldn' it be great to cycle around the world.

And after 18 months of doing it, I can finally say I made it. Iv'e cycled around the world for REST Charity Wales.

I cycled 20,400 miles through 22 countries with the help of some flights and ferries to return to the UK 18 in October 2019.

Holland ✅ Germany ✅ Austria ✅ Slovakia ✅ Hungary ✅ Serbia ✅ Bulgaria ✅ Turkey ✅ Georgia ✅ Azerbaijan ✅ Uzbekistan ✅ Tajikistan ❌ Kyrgyzstan ✅ China ✅ HK ✅ Laos ✅ Thailand ✅ Malaysia ✅ Singapore ✅ Australia ✅ New Zealand ✅ Korea ❌ Japan ❌ USA ✅

I decided to raise £5000 for Repatriation Services Trust (REST) because they do amazing work supporting families in really difficult circumstances. REST was set up in memory of Tom Bassett, a well loved colleague at my previous employment, who sadly died on holiday in Dubai in 2017. His family and friends at REST offer help and support to other families who find themselves in such an unfortunate circumstance.

Toms Story

You never think when booking a holiday or flying out to a country abroad that tragedy might strike. Unfortunately, this happens everyday and it happened in May 2017 to the Bassett family. Tom Bassett, a well-loved, all-round amazing person was killed by a drunk driver when on holiday in Dubai. At 30 years old, Tom was a frequent traveller but fell victim to the treacherous roads in this city. The family received the devastating news early hours on the 6th May via a telephone call. A call that we all dread receiving, and never expect to get. Even though Tom had full travel insurance, the family soon realised that the pay out was not going to happen upfront. It would take weeks, months even. Yet the upfront repatriation costs were in the thousands, and that doesn't include additional costs of emergency flights to Dubai.

Losing a family member at anytime is difficult. Let alone when it happens hundreds of miles away, in a country with different laws and processes. The need to pay costs upfront means that if you do find yourself in this situation, your first option is to carry out a burial in the country in which the incident took place. An option that many would prefer not to choose, but have to due to financial constraints.

This is why I am supporting the Bassett family and friends in creating REST. If you ever find yourself in this devastating situation REST will come to your aid. The charity will provide guidance, support and financial aid to help you bring your loved one(s) home. REST is planning to help families across Wales but we will need your ongoing support. The soon to be charity is in its infancy. We will need a big surge of fundraising to get it off the ground so we can start offering services to families. When we are up and running we will also need continual fundraising support to have means to support those who desperately need our help.

Thank you for reading this story and thank you for any support you can provide. Every family we help will be in Tom's name. That's how we're building his legacy and making him a legend.