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\n Derek Buckley<\/p>\n
\n Derek Buckley<\/p>\n
\n A Lancaster man is preparing to cycle the length of the country to raise vital funds for a mental health charity for young people.\n <\/p>\n
Derek Buckley is taking on the gruelling Land’s End to John O’ Groats challenge as part of M&S\u2019 \u2018Big Fun-Raiser\u2019 charity event.<\/p>\n
Starting on Thursday (June 4), Derek will embark on a mammoth 900-mile journey, cycling for 10 consecutive days and covering approximately 90-100 miles each day.<\/p>\n
Derek is part of a group of 18 members of staff from across various branches of M&S taking part, where the 65-year-old has worked intermittently since 1980, to raise finds for YoungMinds.<\/p>\n
“I have a great belief in young people, but I also see how much harder their world is today with the constant pressures of the internet and social media,” Derek explained. <\/p>\n
“Through my past voluntary work with local charity Escape2Make, where I taught kids how to fix bikes, I saw first-hand the challenges they navigate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why the work of YoungMinds is so vital, because when a young person struggles with their mental health, it doesn\u2019t just impact them, it has a ripple effect on the entire family. <\/p>\n
\u2018\u2019Supporting the parents, brothers, and sisters is just as crucial and that was a huge inspiration for me to get involved.”<\/p>\n
This isn’t Derek’s first endurance challenge as he previously completed the same gruelling route in 2023 for Cystic Fibrosis. <\/p>\n
“I did the ride by myself, and I can still recall standing at the train station beforehand thinking, \u2018What on earth have I let myself in for?\u2019” he recalled.<\/p>\n
“The weather was relentless with two weeks of non-stop rain, which meant much of the lovely scenery was just a blur. This time, I\u2019m looking forward to the company and hopefully, I can soak up the scenery and actually see the country!<\/p>\n
“Last time, I was cycling 60-70 miles a day. This time, we\u2019re looking at 90-100 miles, which is a daunting prospect.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s such a great cause to get behind and I’m passionate about helping young people get the support they need, because that\u2019s what this is truly all about.<\/p>\n
“Knowing we have the support of our local community will definitely make those tough miles feel that little bit easier.\u201d<\/p>\n
Abigail Ampofo, Interim Chief Executive at YoungMinds, said: \u201cWe\u2019re hugely grateful to Derek and all the riders at M&S for taking part in this challenge. <\/p>\n
\u2018\u2019Their fundraising efforts will help support our work including our parents helpline, so we can be there for parents and carers and the young people in their lives, at a time when more young people than ever are struggling with their mental health.\u201d<\/p>\n