On Sunday, 21st September 2025, I will be setting off from London to cycle 5,000 km to Istanbul. More specifically, I’ll be cycling from Tower Bridge to Bosphorus Bridge. I’ll be riding solo and unsupported, carrying all my own gear, tent, and supplies along the way.

I’ve never been an avid cyclist, although I’ve always had a keen interest in it. To date, my longest multi-day bike trip was a sponsored event 250km from Maidwell to Whitstable aged 12. While it was a great success, I did end up in A&E after somersaulting over my handlebars and impaling my leg on a brake lever. I’m hoping to complete this trip with considerably less impalement.

Some of my friends have (quite fairly) asked whether I should get more into cycling before committing to doing nothing but cycling for seven weeks. Whilst they have a point, I do have some cycling experience, and more importantly, I love a challenge.

The purpose of this trip, aside from indulging myself in a little career break, is to raise money for The Carlie Tufnell Charitable Trust. Carlie was a very close school friend of mine who died by suicide in 2021.

Some of you may remember that in June 2022 a group of school friends and I raised £12,000 for his Trust by walking the Via Francigena from Siena to Rome. I am now aiming to raise further funds for this incredible Trust, which is dedicated to:

• Promoting positive mental health

• Advancing the education of people with dyslexia

• Promoting participation in the arts and culture for those who may not otherwise have access

More recently the Trust has been supporting the Turtle Key Arts charity which helps young people enter the world of drama (a subject close to Carlie’s heart). In addition the Trust continues to support suicide prevention initiatives, as well as local charities in Gloucestershire.

All funds donated on this page will go directly to the charity. I’ve been saving for this trip for a few years now and I can’t think of a better cause to raise awareness for.

Thank you for visiting my page and for any donations, they are greatly appreciated. If you wish to see me off, I will leave from Tower Bridge at 11am on 21st September 2025!

Please follow my journey through my Instagram page @twowheelstoturkey