Last year, one of Harbour’s trustees, Tim Styles, cycled from Land’s End to John o’ Groats unsupported in under five days. Next month, he is going one better: Land’s End to John o’ Groats AND back down to Land’s End, dubbed ‘LEJOGLE’. Tim will begin the LEJOGLE ride on June 16th, a journey of 1,900 miles that he is aiming to complete in under 10 days. To reach this ambitious target, he will need to cycle over 200 miles a day. Tim is using this cycling challenge to raise awareness and funds for Harbour. Like last year, he will be undertaking the ride completely unsupported. This means Tim will be riding solo and will have to carry all his own gear, food and equipment without the safety net of a support vehicle and team following behind. Instead of staying at hotels or B&Bs during the ride, Tim has chosen to sleep outside in bus shelters and fields in a bivvy bag, in recognition of the realities faced by people sleeping rough in Cornwall and throughout the UK.
Tim is excited at the prospect of the journey but knows it is going to be tough. He says, “I am really looking forward to doing it – the plan is to complete the ride in less than 10 days which I know will be a struggle. It means I’m going to have to cover over 200 miles a day. That’s quite a big ask; I can ride that in a day but whether I can do it 10 days on the trot is another thing!
“I haven’t always been into fitness and cycling though, up until my mid-thirties I smoked 60 a day and wouldn’t have dreamt of ever doing something like this. I want to show what is possible for people over 60 and for those who have totally changed their lives.”
Tim explains why he is raising money for Harbour Housing: “I have been a volunteer trustee for Harbour Housing for over 10 years and I will support them until the day I die. Harbour provides accommodation and support to people affected by homelessness and works with them to overcome their challenges and transition into independent living. One of the benefits residents get from staying with Harbour is it is not just a roof over their heads but also the tailored support and activities provided as well.
“These activities are facilitated by volunteers and staff, and it is great to get the residents engaged particularly in sport and trying new things outdoors. So, this year whatever I raise will go towards encouraging participation in sporting activities at Harbour’s supported accommodation sites, including getting bikes and other sports and outdoor equipment. A huge thank you to everyone who has donated to my JustGiving page so far, it’s so appreciated.”
Chair of Harbour Housing’s volunteer board of trustees, Mark Steer, said “I come into contact with many trustees from lots of charities in my role as chairperson of Harbour Housing. I am in awe of the lengths that Tim goes to in order to raise awareness of the plight of homelessness in Cornwall and to do what he is proposing is an inspiration to us all.”
If you would like to donate, please go to Tim’s Just Giving page here. We have also done a video interview with Tim, who explains more about the challenge and the reasons he is doing it. Check it out below!
14th November
Thank you to the community in St Ervan!
6th April
Over the last few months at Harbour, we have been putting together and distributing warm packs to help people on low income reduce their energy bills.
16th March
Harbour's trainee clinical psychologist placement student has started peer supervision sessions with Harbour staff.
14th March
Read about the EVA Recovery Programme supporting survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence at Harbour.
7th March
We are delighted to announce we have set up a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered care service!
8th November
It’s almost that time of year – Christmas. The time of year for the gift of giving.
This year, have you considered giving a gift to someone for whom Christmas might be a bit less merry than usual?
