A TEAM of 11 cyclists has completed an incredible challenge in support of young carers and children experiencing difficult circumstances, collectively cycling 2,206 miles and raising vital funds for The Honeypot Children’s Charity.
The third annual House to House Cycle Challenge began on Thursday, July 16 at Honeypot Pen y Bryn in Powys, Wales and finished four days later, on Sunday July 19, at Honeypot House in the New Forest, England.
Eight cyclists took on the full 260-mile route between the two Honeypot houses, while a further three riders joined the challenge for one day. Together, the team clocked up an impressive 2,206 miles.
The cyclists were given a special send-off by the Mayor of Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn, Councillor Margaret Lewington, and her husband, Councillor Pete Lewington, before setting off from Pen y Bryn on their four-day journey.
Travelling through Wales and England and taking on an average of 65 miles each day, the cyclists battled tired legs and long hours in the saddle before finally crossing the finish line at Honeypot House on Sunday.
So far, this year’s cyclists have raised an incredible £20,000, bringing the total raised through the House to House Cycle Challenge since it began in 2024 to over £72,000.
The money raised will help Honeypot continue supporting young carers and children aged 5–12 experiencing difficult circumstances through residential Respite Breaks, Health and Wellbeing Breaks, and ongoing wraparound support designed to build confidence, reduce isolation and improve wellbeing.
Simmi Woodwal, CEO of The Honeypot Children’s Charity, said: “We are incredibly proud of every one of our cyclists for taking on this extraordinary challenge.
“Cycling 260 miles over four days requires a huge amount of determination, commitment and resilience, and the support shown for Honeypot and the children we work with has been wonderful.
Every mile cycled and every pound raised will help us continue providing young carers and children experiencing difficult circumstances with opportunities to take a break from the pressures they face, enjoy new experiences and simply have the chance to be children.”
The House to House Cycle Challenge was created by Honeypot supporter, John Pocock, and has grown over the past three years to become an important event in the charity’s fundraising calendar.
John Pocock said: “When we first came up with the idea of cycling between two of Honeypot’s houses three years ago, we wanted to create a challenge that would bring people together, push us out of our comfort zones and, most importantly, raise vital funds for Honeypot.
“Three years on, it is fantastic to see how the challenge has grown. There is a real sense of camaraderie among everyone involved, and knowing that every mile we cycle is helping Honeypot support more children makes the aching legs and long days in the saddle absolutely worthwhile.
“I am enormously grateful to everyone who took part this year, supported us along the route and donated so generously. Completing the challenge together and arriving at Honeypot House after four days on the road was a very special moment.”
The Honeypot Children’s Charity has been supporting young carers and children experiencing difficult circumstances for 30 years.
From its three houses in Hampshire, Powys and East Ayrshire, the charity provides residential Respite Breaks, Health and Wellbeing Breaks and ongoing wraparound support, giving children opportunities to take a break from the pressures they face, make happy memories, build confidence and simply enjoy being children.
