Callum

Adventurer Callum, aged 30, is planning to cycle approximately 10,000 miles from his home just outside Cambridge to Cape Town in South Africa to fundraise for Child Bereavement UK in memory of his father who died when Callum was fourteen years old.

I often think that my Dad never saw my true potential and I spare a thought for him every time I commit to an expedition where glory and triumph lay at the finish line, which is exactly why I chose a charity so close to my heart to represent.

I’ve always been an avid supporter of human-powered adventures and next year on 21 July, I will undertake the longest and most gruelling expedition to date – to cycle from the UK, through Europe into Greece, across the Mediterranean and then from Egypt to South Africa. As I travel I'll be exploring what death and bereavement means in different cultures and religions across the world.

I’ll be relying on the kind-heartedness and altruism of strangers to help me on my merry way. I hope to reach Cape Town 10 months after I set off from my front door, a completely changed man.

I’ve never considered myself a cyclist, more someone who owns a bicycle. I’ve never even cycled more than 100km in a day, but two things I hold dear are my complete and total faith in my own resilience, and unwavering belief in the hospitality of others. The intention is for this trip to become a beacon of compassion and shared determination, bringing recognition, awareness and positivity to the people, places and plights I will meet en-route. The trip holds many unknowns, but promises relentless endurance, 19 countries, incredible scenery, thousands of strangers, sailing across the Mediterranean and spending two weeks alone in the Sahara Desert and much, much more.

I often think that my Dad never saw my true potential and I spare a thought for him every time I commit to an expedition where glory and triumph lay at the finish line which is exactly why I chose a charity so close to my heart to represent.

Support Calum's fundraising on his JustGiving page.

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.

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