Anne-Marie shares why she and her family raised funds for Child Bereavement UK by cycling 1002 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats.

 The challenge to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats was something  that I had wanted to do for a long time - we just needed the final reason to do it.

That push was the support I witnessed Child Bereavement UK give to my son, his friends and the wider school community when one of their friends died suddenly on the sports field. They were quietly there as a constant support and strength helping the boys to understand how they felt and why.

We did a lot of preparation for the challenge and were planning routes and booking accommodation for six months before we went; we were constantly tweaking these even as we were on the journey. My husband and I were training on our bikes for three months or so before, but the kids only did a few training cycles and smashed it.

My father died when I was 12 and there was no support offered to our family at that time. I think that's one of the reasons why I was so moved by watching the work of Child Bereavement UK in action. Cycling for hours a day for Child Bereavement UK particularly gave me such freedom and license to reflect on this and to chat with my father when we passed areas of the UK that were particularly meaningful.

It also felt like a huge achievement for our family as a whole as we had to overcome so many things during the undertaking; my children Max and Bea,in particular, have learned so much about both themselves, including how to travel. They are both so proud of what they have achieved and that is such a vital skill.

Child Bereavement UK’s fundraising team have been so supportive and enthusiastic about our challenge, it was great to feel their support behind us.

I would say to anyone else considering a challenge to absolutely do it, especially as a  family. If you're looking for a way to secure hours a day with your teenager without their phone - this is the one.

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If you have been inspired to take on a challenge for us, please visit our challenge events page, contact our fundraising team on [email protected] or call us on 01494 569048.