I am a 30-year-old adventurer who plans to cycle approximately 10,000 miles from my home just outside of Cambridge, UK to Cape Town, South Africa for Child Bereavement UK in memory of my father who died when I was just 14 years old. I often think that my Dad never saw my true potential and I spare a thought for him every time I commit to an expedition where glory and triumph lay at the finish line which is exactly why I chose a charity so close to my heart to represent.

I’ve always been an avid supporter of human-powered adventures and this year on 1st November 2021 , I will undertake the longest and most gruelling expedition to date – to cycle from the UK, through Europe to Genoa, to then sail across the Mediterranean Sea to Egypt. From there, I will because the arduous journey to South Africa, relying on the kind-heartedness and altruism of strangers to help me on my merry way. I hope to reach Cape Town 10 months after I set off from my front door, a completely changed man.

I’ve never considered myself a cyclist – more of someone that owns a bicycle. I’ve never even cycled more than 100km in a day, but two things I hold dear are my complete and total faith in my own resilience and unwavering belief in the hospitality of others. The intention is for this trip to become a beacon of compassion and shared determination, bringing recognition, awareness and positivity to the people, places and plights I will meet en route.The trip holds many unknowns, but promises relentless endurance, 19 countries, incredible scenery, thousands of strangers, sea crossing in a small sailboat, a couple of weeks alone in the Sahara Desert and much, much more.