Remember why you started; every mile you ride is making a difference to someone else's life
By cycling the length of the country and commuting by bike as part of my training, I hope to highlight the value of more sustainable forms of transport and the importance of caring for our common home.
Salford Community Participation Coodinator Simon Holleron (left) joins Steven Green (right) for a few miles of his Land's End to John o' Groats fundraising cycle.
Following a serious cycling accident, Mr Green, a primary school teacher from Oldham, took on a huge challenge to mark the end of his recovery: cycling almost 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John o’ Groats to fundraise for CAFOD!
Mr Green's challenge will help support communities around the world, while also inspiring his pupils to believe that setbacks do not have to define them.
966 miles cycled from Land’s End to John o’ Groats.
30,033 feet of incline climbed across the length of Britain.
10 days of cycling and camping
Over £1,000 raised for communities around the world
Along the journey, Mr Green has been documenting his progress with his YouTube channel.
Each day Mr Green opened a message from one of his pupils at St Aidan and Oswald Roman Catholic Primary School in Oldham
With hills of 20% incline and stretching to four miles long, the messages from the children kept him going. Taking in the views sitting at the top of a hill, or a breather in a local café, Mr Green would open an inspirational message, fuelling him for the journey ahead.
The challenge comes after Mr Green was hit by a car while cycling to work last October, leaving Mr Green injured and needing treatment in hospital. His helmet was smashed into three pieces, and Mr Green has said it “saved my life that day".
One of the reasons Mr Green took on this challenge, was to show the pupils that they can choose the more eco-friendly option – cycling!
Our Brazilian partner SEMEANDO is supporting “Women Cycling in the City of São Paulo”, an initiative that promotes cycling to improve women's mobility, autonomy and wellbeing.
For women in marginalised communities, access to a bicycle can expand opportunities by providing a more affordable, environmentally friendly way to access employment, education and public services, while fostering confidence, social connections and greater independence.
Whether it's cycling like Mr Green, running a marathon or a plant sale, you can be as adventurous as you like when you fundraise for CAFOD - we are here to support you all the way!
