Brentwood School student fundraiser harnesses pedal power

Keen cyclist Harry Toms is using pedal power to raise much-needed funds for the School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) - a charity which uses sport as a way to change behaviour and address school exclusion, crime, unemployment and poor health.

Fourteen-year-old Harry, who only took up cycling during the first lockdown, will pedal 1000km (equivalent to 600 miles) as he embarks on a virtual ‘as-the-crow-flies’ journey from Lands End to John O’Groats.

He has five weeks to complete the mammoth challenge and Harry has already put in some big 50+mile rides including an 80-mile Sportive event. It’s a busy time for Harry, who is in his Third Year at Brentwood School, as he is having to juggle school commitments around his charity fundraiser.

“I decided to take up cycling in the first lockdown because it was one of the only sports allowed with the restrictions, and it was nice to escape the house!” explained Harry. “I enjoy the freedom of cycling. I often plan and cycle routes on my own. It has improved my fitness and endurance, and I’m more confident in setting myself more ambitious targets as I believe I can achieve them.”

Harry mainly cycles on the roads, especially for the longer rides, but if he is short of time, he cycles on a turbo trainer indoors on Zwift - an online cycling game and training program.

Harry is logging his distances on the SOHK Does LEJOG…..remotely! page and he has already surpassed his £1000 fundraising target. If you would like to support Harry’s heroic effort, his fundraising link is https://sohk-lejog.blackbaud-sites.com/fundraising/harry-cycles-1000km

School of Hard Knocks was established as a charity in 2012 and exists to empower and support both adults and children who are facing social inequality. Harry chose it as his charity because 'it is inspirational'. Through the use of high-impact sport, tailored mentoring and by engendering an atmosphere of genuine acceptance, School of Hard Knocks enables individuals to fully realise their potential. Working across the UK in England, Scotland and Wales, SOHK delivers life-changing programmes and courses that have a long-term impact on participants’ mental and physical health.