For the past few years, I’ve been supporting Suncokret – Center for Community Development and Kids Earth, a grassroots organisation based in rural Croatia. “Suncokret” means sunflower, and the centre lives up to that name by offering children and young people a safe, vibrant space for learning, creativity, support, and community connection.

The centre runs summer camps, after-school programmes, and supports children with their schoolwork. Despite all this, they currently rely on just two computers that are over ten years old. These machines are painfully slow and often crash during basic use - but they’re essential for day-to-day operations. Staff use them to prepare learning materials, support children’s digital education, plan activities, and apply for the funding that keeps the centre running.

Replacing these outdated machines with modern, reliable computers would make a huge difference - not only for the staff but also for the many children who rely on them for schoolwork and skill development.

I’ve been volunteering with Suncokret since 2014 and have seen the incredible impact they make in a community with very limited resources. This fundraiser is deeply personal to me, and once again, I’m asking for your support.

Over the years, your generosity has helped raise £1,500 through the Edinburgh Marathon, and another £1,000 to keep the lights on at the centre - a campaign that involved completing four ultra-marathons in just four months: Country to Capital (72km), Chester Ultra (83km), the Manchester Canathlon (80km), and Liverpool to Manchester (80km). During the height of the COVID pandemic, I cycled from Belfast to Turkey, covering more than 5,000 miles, and together we raised £3,000 across two linked campaigns.

Now I’m setting out on a new challenge: a 14-day solo cycle from John o’ Groats to Land’s End - more than 1,400km (870+ miles) across the length of the UK - See my route HERE!!! I haven’t cycled more than 20 miles since October, and I’ll be doing this completely self-supported. I’ll be carrying all my own gear, camping when possible, and staying in the occasional accommodation when needed for recovery.

This will be a serious physical and mental test, one which I'm quite nervous about completing especially given my lack of training and time on the saddle BUTTT it’s still nothing compared to the daily challenges that Suncokret overcomes to support their community. I’ve set a target of £1,000, but every pound raised - beyond that or below - will go directly toward replacing the centre’s computers and supporting their vital work with children.

Thank you so much for reading, for believing in grassroots change, and for supporting me on this journey. Let’s ride this one home.