I cannot sum up Woodsmoke Camp in under 500 words. 

It’s a place me & my brother Richie went for 2 weeks of the summer every year for as long as I can remember. My Dad went when he was a kid. My Grandpa went when he was a kid. Some of my favourite memories of times with Richie exist because of this place.

Woodsmoke provides a unique outdoor camping experience for youngsters from Sunderland and the surrounding area. It started in 1912 and is still going strong over 100 years later with the help of a group of dedicated volunteers.

On Friday 3rd May 2019, a small group of us are cycling the Coast To Coast route to raise funds for Woodsmoke. All sponsorship will help fund the various outdoor activities for the kids - canoeing, rock climbing, and mountain biking to name but a few.

A keen mountain biker, Richie would have been well up for this Coast To Coast challenge.... “126 miles on a bike? Nee bother...!”

I’d give anything to be doing these 126 miles with him now. 

I’ve decided I’m going to try and do the route on wor kid’s Marin mountain bike. People are telling me to change the tyres to road tyres but that seems wrong somehow. Wish me luck...! 

Much love, Gary x