Welcome to my fundraising page!

In January 2027, I am trading my desk, screens, data models, and warm office at Experian for the extreme, sub-zero winter of Lapland, Sweden, to take part in The Arctic Challenge.

Alongside my colleague Ben, I will be testing my physical and mental resilience to the absolute limit over four intense days. I'll be conquering a 35km dog sledge race, trekking a 20km Nordic hike, ice fishing, and orienteering in an unspoiled, gruelling wilderness.

I am pushing myself way out of my comfort zone—but it’s nothing compared to the challenges faced by children growing up in poverty.

Why Your Support Matters

Literacy changes everything. It gives children the tools to get the most out of life and the power to shape their own futures. But right now in the UK, low literacy is inextricably linked to poverty, and as a data professional, I know the stats tell a harsh story.

On average, children from the poorest backgrounds start school 19 months behind their more privileged peers. Once they fall behind, they rarely catch up. Children without the expected level of literacy skills are held back at every single stage of their lives.

They are:

❗ 5x more likely to fail to meet the expected standards in English at age 11

❗ 4x more likely to be unemployed by age 34

❗ 3x more likely to have mental health problems as adults

A child's potential shouldn't be cut short before their life has truly begun. But this cycle is not inevitable. With your support, we can change these statistics.

How Your Donation Helps

100% of the money raised goes directly to the National Literacy Trust to transform the lives of children in the most disadvantaged areas of the UK.

Every pound makes a tangible difference. Your support can provide a child's very first book, fund inspiring storytelling events, train early years volunteers to support parents, or empower teenagers with vital career and communication skills.

Ben and I have a massive combined fundraising target of £4,400 to hit, and I cannot do it without your help. Whether you can spare the price of a coffee or a bit more, every donation brings me closer to my goal and helps a child write a better life story.

Thank you so much for backing me! ❤️

Tomás Pinto