During the next twelve months I'll be riding 10,000 miles, the equivalent of cycling between Bedford and Adelaide, Australia, through wind, rain, and snow to raise funds for local Bedfordshire charity, Country Days (www.countrydays.net)

Founded in 2018, by the late Ann Hadfield, who had a vision of giving children in Bedfordshire the opportunity to explore the wonders of nature, reconnecting with the wild and discovering the world around them.

The six-acre nature reserve, The Leys, is situated near the picturesque village of Felmersham and includes woodland, a pond and open fields for children to play and learn about their environment.   The charity runs exciting Easter and Summer courses with various themes including ‘surviving in the wild’ and ‘stories of nature’.

What will the funds be used for?

The hidden impact of the pandemic on the younger generation is becoming all too clear to see.  In 2022, Country Days are hoping to run more courses than ever, giving children, who wouldn’t ordinarily be given the chance, to enjoy the beautiful Bedfordshire countryside.

To enhance the children’s experience and enable Country Days to run more courses, we are seeking to raise funds to build two further rain shelters, an additional landing stage and science hut for pond dipping, four more compostable toilets, additional tables and chairs, a portable microscope, more bug hunting materials and field nets for looking at meadow flora and fauna.

Please support me today and make a real difference.  Our fundraising target is £5,000 or 50p for every mile!