We are a team of civil servants from the Government Legal Profession united by our love of cycling and our commitment to making a positive difference. We have teamed up to support a local charity that creates lasting change in the lives of vulnerable children whilst undertaking a challenge of our own – the 55-mile charity cycle from London to Brighton!

Our team consists of 22 cyclists from across the GLP. We are therefore aiming to raise £4,500 as a team for Step Out Mentoring. Any donation is very much appreciated!

Charity

Step Out Mentoring is an early intervention mentoring charity that provides outdoor based 1:1 mentoring sessions for young people aged 8-18 in the London borough of Southwark who are struggling with social or emotional difficulties, helping to create lasting change for vulnerable children's emotional health.

The Charity provides this support to young people by training up local volunteers to become youth mentors (like one of our cyclists, Ella!). The volunteer youth mentors are then matched to a young person who they meet for 2 hours once a week for 12 months. This provides space and time to build a natural relationship where the young person can learn to trust an adult and use the space to develop their own capabilities. Mentoring sessions are based around a fun outdoor activity and any other creative activities that the young person enjoys. It is through this regular and consistent engagement that young people can begin to learn how to thrive in their communities.

The impact of the Charity is profound. One of our cyclists, Ella, has volunteered for the charity for over 2 years and has seen firsthand how mentoring can transform a young person’s life and instill hope in those who need it most.

Your generous donation will help Step Out:

• train up and support the volunteer mentors,

• pay for the various trips the charity provides for young people throughout the year, and

• cover the day to day running costs of the charity, including the premises it uses for its youth club.

The charity is always looking for new volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a youth mentor please complete the charity's online form here.

Our Challenge!

As a team, we are taking on the challenge of cycling 55 miles/ 88 km from London to Brighton on 14 September 2025. It is an iconic route beginning in Clapham Common, weaving through the south of London before heading into the countryside. Towards the end of the route, we will cycle up the infamous Ditchling Beacon, before finally reaching Brighton!

I'm struggling to do much in the way of long rides given my evenings and weekends are largely taken up by kids but I am trying to keep fit and do a few slightly longer rides so hopefully I will make it through with a lot of grit and determination and snacks!!