I’ve set myself a unique challenge: to cycle over 100 miles in a single day around Sussex on a penny farthing, dressed as Santa, on the shortest day of the year — 21st December.

I’m doing this to shine a light on an issue that’s incredibly close to my heart: parental alienation and the continuing failings within the family court system. Far too many parents and children are suffering in silence, and awareness is desperately needed.

Funds raised will go directly to PAPA (People Against Parental Alienation) — a small but powerful organisation that supports alienated parents and raises awareness of the emotional harm caused when one parent is prevented from having a meaningful relationship with their child.

This Christmas, thousands of children will wake up without one of their parents — not because that parent is unwilling or unsafe, but simply because the other parent has refused to co-parent. The emotional harm this causes can last a lifetime, often leading to long-term mental health challenges for children and parents alike.

In addition, all donations will be shared with Finley’s Touch, a local charity that stands beside children fighting cancer and the families who love them.

For any parent, hearing the words “your child has cancer” is life-shattering. The journey that follows is exhausting — on the body, the mind, and the family’s finances. And for those who have lost a child, the heartbreak never leaves. Finley’s Touch exists to wrap these families in comfort, compassion, and hope when they need it most.

Their mission is to Spread Fun, Hope and Happiness, even in the darkest moments. They do this by creating Hospital Survival Bags filled with small comforts that mean everything during long stays, offering financial grants to ease the strain throughout treatment, and providing play equipment and resources that bring moments of joy back into hospital wards. And they do so much more — always with love, always with Finley’s spirit at the heart of it.

This challenge is for every child who won’t get to experience a magical Christmas this year—whether they're spending the holidays isolated in a hospital bed, or separated from loving family members who miss them every single day.

I’ve never ridden 100+ miles on a penny farthing before. It’s a fixed-wheel machine with no gears, and I know it’ll push me further than anything I’ve ever attempted—mentally, physically and emotionally. But even on my toughest mile, it will never come close to the battles thousands of innocent children face daily.

They are the real fighters. This ride is my way of honouring them, standing with them, and reminding them that they are not forgotten.

I’ve now chosen the route, and I’ll share a link closer to the day so anyone with children can come and meet me along the way. If you’d like me to hand a little present to your child, just let me know — I’ll happily stop and give it my best Santa voice!

And if anyone wants to ride alongside me for any part of the journey, you’re more than welcome. It would be amazing to see some friendly faces out there.

Whether you’re able to donate or simply share this message forward, your support means more to me than I can put into words.