Bath Spa University student, Dylan Kenning, is gearing up for the hardest ride of his life to raise money for Julia’s House children’s hospice. He's taking on a 205 kilometre ‘Riding for a Lifeline’ challenge, cycling from Aberdare in Wales to Bath all in one day on 8th October.
The 23-year-old Criminology student will be joined by four of his friends on the fundraising challenge – Etienne Millward, Charlie Knight, Flynn Devine and Mario Lottari.
The team, who have all stayed in touch since their school days together in Stroud, hope to raise more than £1,000 for Julia’s House, to support our lifeline of care for very seriously ill children and their families in and around Wiltshire and Dorset.
Dylan, who works as a fitness instructor at Group X in Nailsworth and The Fitness Mill near his home in Stroud, said, “I’ve always done my body building and weightlifting, so endurance cycling is completely alien to me and I’ve had to train a lot harder than everyone else. In the past two months, I’ve gone from weighing 17 stone to under 15 stone. It’s tough and I’ve had to really push myself, but it’s been a lot of fun as well.”
Speaking about their chosen charity Julia’s House, Dylan said, “My friend and Etienne’s partner Molly is a nurse for Julia’s House children’s hospice, so she’s told us about the amazing care they provide for very seriously ill children in the families’ homes and at the charity’s hospices.
“I’ve been putting myself through a lot of physical pain, but really it’s insignificant compared to the suffering that these families go through on a daily basis. And it humbles you when you hear how positive the children and families are, despite the challenges and struggles they face,” he said.
“We all wanted to do what we could to support the charity’s work, and we’re hopeful we can hit our £1,000 target.”
Dylan and his friends will set off from Aberdare and cycle through Wales to Gloucester and then head down through Stroud and Nailsworth before arriving in the centre of Bath.
“The hills in Wales are going to be the hardest part I think,” said Dylan. “I’m hoping we can cycle past my gyms in Stroud and Nailsworth on the way, so people can cheer us on and keep us going to the finish line.”
Julia’s House fundraising administrator, Nicky Clack, said, “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Dylan and all his team for taking on this mammoth cycle challenge for Julia’s House. Our vital children’s hospice service is almost entirely funded by kind donations and fundraising, so every kilometre cycled and every pound raised will help us to support a local family who depends on our care.”
Support Dylan and his team’s Riding for a Lifeline challenge at his Go Fund Me Page.
