Two days, 73 miles cycled, and a fundraising total of £1,832 for Winston’s Wish as supporter Sam, 13, from North Somerset took on the Isle of Wight with his dad, Brendan, and Uncle Spencer in memory of his cousin, Jake.
To mark the ten years since his cousin passed, Sam wanted to do something special in a place that held memories for him. He decided on the Isle of Wight as his grandparents had taken him and his cousin there on holidays.
Sam is no stranger to sponsored cycles, and he set himself the mammoth task of cycling the island, doing a total of 73 miles in two days.
But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Sam described his experience and said, “The weather was really bad on the first day. My uncle got a puncture and then my dad’s wheel exploded, but the second day was nice and sunny, and luckily no punctures!”
Despite the first day, I really enjoyed riding with my dad and uncle, and we got to see lots of the island. It is quite hilly in parts, and 60 miles in my legs started to hurt but I kept on going.
Sam, fundraiser
This isn’t the first fundraising challenge Sam and his family have undertaken, every year his mum, Sarah, organises a big event called Jake’s Wish, but Sam decided for the ten-year anniversary he would take lead on the fundraising with the help of his mum.
Talking about his fundraising experience, Sam said, “My mum supported me on the fundraising, she set up a Facebook event page and took sponsor forms to work with her. But I did get sponsored by my PE teacher, which was really kind.”
Having completed his Isle of Wight challenge, Sam wanted to share his advice for taking on a similar challenge for Winston’s Wish…
- Do something you know you will enjoy and can do
- Ask your schools and sports clubs to support you
- Ask your parents to set up a Facebook event to help with fundraising
- Let people know your progress so they can see how you’re getting on
Fundraise for Winston’s Wish
Feel inspired by Sam’s cycling challenge? Why not join #TeamWinston and take on a fundraising challenge in support of bereaved children and young people.
Run, walk, cycle, swim or even design your own fundraiser and help raise vital funds that help ensure no child grieves alone.