Every Journey Has To Start Somewhere...

Firstly, thank you for visiting.

This is a huge call out for support to a new charitable organisation I’m about to launch. To enhance awareness and fundraising, I will be taking on a personal '10 Day Challenge' to raise the profile of the mission.

The organisation (name and registration type will be confirmed very soon), will provide support and advocacy solutions to vulnerable children, young people and adults across our region.

Through funded and personalised 1-2-1 mentoring, coaching and therapeutic interventions, we will enhance positive mental health and well-being, whilst raising self-esteem, confidence and resilience to those in need.

Group workshops and activities will also be a feature, both in schools, out in the community and onsite at the office.

Working in collaboration with other providers across the region, advocacy will be another part of the solution matrix.

The need across our region is high and whilst there are some incredible providers, capacity levels are stretched and waiting lists are growing.

The mission will be simple: to provide support, give help and change lives!

Anyone struggling that reaches out or referred from a variety of pathways, will benefit from personal engagement within 24 hours of initial contact.

Just knowing that someone has your back can be a lifeline, their challenges won't be solved instantly, but through an empathetic and personal approach, progressive steps will be achieved.

The goal is to be operational and delivering impact by October 1st 2024.

I'd love you to keep reading about the pre-launch personal challenge along with how your help will make a difference but I appreciate time is precious. If you've read enough (which I totally respect), your support will be hugely appreciated.

So what’s my 10 Day Challenge:

Over 10 consecutive days, September 1st through to September 10th, I will cycle 100 kilometres per day, without compromising on other commitments.

Each days exertions will be logged and evidenced using the Strava cycling app.

A total of 1,000 kilometres will be ridden around Essex and Suffolk, fuelled by the impact the new service will have for hundreds, if not thousands of children, young people and adults across our region.

For those that know me, fitness and sponsored challenges have been a big part of my giving back prior to suffering a stroke back in February 2021.

Cycling has been a big component in my recovery, alongside a number of initiatives I have thrown myself into, primarily assisting children, young people and adults in need.

If each kilometre cycled can attract a crowdfunded monetary value, the immediate impact will be enhanced.

To add further meaning and to limit the countless hours of talking to myself whilst I pedal (I removed the phrase 'cursing myself'), I will be accompanied for part of each ride by 10 friendly faces that I have given support to over the last couple of years (one per day).

Each of the accompanying cyclists will join me for a maximum of 10 km’s, leaving me to battle through the rest on my own.

So why a challenge on a bike?

I've already mentioned that cycling has been an enabler to my own recovery, and besides, I don't have a long run in me just yet.

But perhaps more pertinent, cycling is very much like life, sometimes the pedals go round and the journey is effortless.

Sometimes each turn of the pedal feels like a monumental effort.

As I say, cycling has a lot in common with life but continuing to pedal can take us all to a better place!

Can I complete 100 kilometres a day out on the open roads for 10 consecutive days?

It will be a big physical and mental challenge, but the mission will be completed.

For those that don’t know, I’ve completed multiple marathons, the Great Barrow Challenge (4 marathons in 4 days - where I finished 2nd overall) and the London to Brighton run (100km / 62 miles), all for amazing causes.

I've not ridden 100km in one go before (70km is my furthest so far), therefore day one will be a task in itself, but backing this with another 9 consecutive days will translate to my biggest challenge yet.

I’m mentally capable of pushing myself beyond the limits of reasonable endurance, the physical side of me will just need to push through the aches and pains when they arrive – and I know they will.

So what will this fundraising foolishness lay foundation for:

To launch with suitable premises, set up the necessary infrastructure and processes, attract and pay a small team and begin the journey of delivering impact, the first year of operations will require a forecast cash flow in excess of £50,000.

Ongoing attraction of funding from charitable and corporate funding partners will take time to secure and scale, but knowing this space well and with a network of contacts, I firmly believe the generation of funded income will see the provision scale significantly as the first year flows through into years two, three and beyond.

To bring potential donations to life:

£15.00 would cover the cost for someone struggling, to attend an in-person group workshop session applicable to their individual need.

£25.00 would provide a face to face, 1-2-1, personalised support session. In a mentoring / coaching capacity, each individual identified as right fit, will typically benefit from a series of 6 to 10.

£40.00 would pay for a face to face therapy session with a fully qualified therapist. A series of 12 sessions would be the expected benchmark but everyone presents different needs and having flexibility will be key.

£75.00 will provide a series of ten, 30 minute, weekly 'befriending' support calls to someone who is socially isolated and needing a little help to develop confidence and reassurance.

£117.00 would fund six, 45 minute, weekly 'befriender' home visits for those struggling to leave the house due to the challenges they face.

If you'd like more examples of how donations can make a difference please ask.

The first step is always the hardest:

So as with any journey, there always needs to be a first turn of the pedal.

If each kilometre were to raise £5, it would yield £5,000.

But if through consistent promotion via all the obvious media channels, we were to grow awareness and engagement, what an incredible impact this personal challenge could have from a community of supporters.

So how can you support?

Your help can be provided in a couple of ways.

I have chosen the gofundme platform for its reputation and efficiency.

Please be aware that each donation is subject to a small platform fee that will be deducted from your support.

Whilst every penny absolutely matters, I’ve come to the decision that a deduction of 2.9% + 25p transaction fee is a small price to pay.

To put this into context, if £10,000 were raised from 400 donors, the net return will be £9,610.

If the fees put you off and you prefer to donate in another way, I will be administering traditional sponsorship forms for direct contributions.

All funds raised will be published and allocated to the first year of trading accounts, whilst providing a valuable enhancement to the start up cash flow.

In creating the fundraising channel, I had to identify a target. This is like looking for a needle in a haystack and the target of £10,000 is an ambitious number.

If it's not achieved it doesn't restrict the release of funds. If it's exceeded, well that would be amazing.

So what is happening in the meantime:

You may see me out on the bike getting prepared, if you do, please give me a toot.

Likewise, I'm continuing to facilitate the running of our local youth club (4 sessions a week, with more than 250 children and young people registered).

I continue to host a weekly men’s walk and talk project each Monday morning.

I enjoy fulfilling my commitment to a number of children and adults I give support to.

My after-school wellbeing clubs for local schools are all set for continuation through the Autumn Term and beyond.

And I continue with the running our local community minibus.

However, in preparation for the official launch, I am busy securing the new office whilst pulling together the final plans, policies, processes and governance requirements to enable a fast start.

In addition, I am exploring some possible match funding partners for this initiative, which has the potential to enhance each donation further.

I appreciate this all sounds a lot, but if you know me, I struggle to sit still for long. If I’m not busy, I’m not happy.

The next week or so is centred on two important dates:

September 1st: with 10 days and 1,000 kilometres of cycling ahead.

And….

October 1st: official launch date of the new charitable offering.

Any contribution would be hugely appreciated and will add fuel to the motivation.

Thank you for reading and of course, I'm 100% open to questions and ideas around other ways you might be able to assist.

Now where's the bike....

Kevin