Why I’m raising money:

In September 2026, I'm setting off to cycle around the world - approximately 30,000km, completely solo.

It's a huge challenge, and an even bigger adventure - especially for someone who isn't actually a cyclist.

I’m not particularly fit, I knew very little about cycling when I decided to do this, and I didn’t even own a bike until a few weeks ago.

But that’s part of the reason I’m doing it.

I want to challenge myself to do something completely outside my comfort zone, while using the journey to raise money for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), in memory of my friend Cameron.

Cameron loved making people laugh and always wanted everyone around him to feel welcome and comfortable. When I joined a new school and didn’t know anyone, he was one of the first people to make me feel like I belonged. He cared deeply about his friends and always made sure everyone was having a good time. He was incredibly outgoing and brought so much joy to the people around him, but he also had his own struggles.

Losing Cameron had a huge impact on me, and it made me think a lot about how we talk about mental health - or, more importantly, how often we don’t talk about it. I want this journey to encourage more people to speak openly about how they’re feeling, to check in on the people around them and to ask someone “Are you alright?” Sometimes, simply starting that conversation can make a bigger difference than we realise.

Why CALM?

CALM - the Campaign Against Living Miserably - is a suicide prevention charity helping people find support when they’re struggling and challenging the attitudes and stigma that can stop people from talking about how they’re feeling.

They provide tools and resources to help people find the support they need, including their life-saving helpline for people who can’t see a way forward, people who have lost someone to suicide, or anyone worried about a friend or loved one.

The money raised through this challenge can help CALM continue providing that support. £12.20 is enough to fund one potentially life-saving call.

A big part of CALM’s work is also about encouraging people to talk, particularly around the pressures and expectations that can make it difficult for people - especially men - to open up when things aren't going well.

That message feels incredibly important to me.

I want this journey to help break down some of those barriers and encourage more honest conversations about mental health, before someone reaches crisis point.

By raising money for CALM, I hope I can help support their vital work, provide support to people who are struggling and remind people that talking really can make a difference.

More than just a bike ride:

I also want this journey to be about the positive things we can do for our own mental wellbeing.

Getting outside, being active, exploring somewhere new and giving yourself some time away from the stresses of everyday life can be a great way to clear your head and feel better.

I want to encourage people to find whatever works for them - whether that’s cycling, running, hiking, walking, motorbiking, swimming, exploring somewhere new, or simply getting outside for a while.

You don’t have to cycle around the world.

And you don’t have to be fit, experienced or an adventurer to try something new.

I certainly wasn’t.

This challenge is going to push me far outside my own comfort zone, but hopefully that’s part of what makes it relatable. If I can go from not owning a bike to setting off on a 30,000km journey around the world, perhaps it can encourage someone else to take their own first step - whatever that looks like.

Most importantly, I hope the journey can help create more conversations.

Conversations about how we’re really feeling. Conversations with our mates. Conversations that might otherwise never happen.

If the 30,000 kilometres ahead of me can help raise money for CALM, support their vital work, encourage someone to check in on a friend, inspire someone to get outside and clear their head, or simply give someone the confidence to talk about how they’re feeling, then every kilometre will be worth it.

Ride far. Talk more.