Bunting Sponsors #BikeBoatBoot Challenge for Tŷ Hafan
By Paul Fears | 16 October 2023
Bunting is sponsoring a group of dads and uncles of children supported by the South Wales children’s hospice Tŷ Hafan who are taking on the 2024 #BikeBoatBoot challenge to raise awareness of and funds for the charity. The group of thirteen men plan to hike, cycle off-road and kayak the length of Wales in four-days.
Tŷ Hafan is a leading and much-loved charity that provides life-changing care and support to children with life-shortening conditions and their families who live in Wales. All the dads and uncles taking part in the challenge are supported by the hospice. The team is made up from dads who have lost children and those still whose children continue to receive care and support from the wonderful staff at the hospice.
The #BikeBoatBoot challenge is the third in a trilogy of challenges undertaken by the dads and uncles, each sponsored by Bunting. In 2018, the team completed the #5in55, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Cadair Idris, and Pen-y-Fan in 55 hours. In 2022, the team returned for the #10nTaff, climbing the five highest mountains in North Wales, then the five highest in South Wales, before cycling off-road 53 miles from Brecon to Cardiff. The #10nTaff was also completed in just over 55 hours.
Following the #5in55, the team’s fundraising efforts were recognized by Just Giving with the Fundraising Team of the Year award. By completing the two challenges, the team has raised over £75,000 for the hospice. The team is aiming to exceed previous year’s fundraising for the #BikeBoatBoot challenge, with support possible via the team’s Just Giving page ‘Bike Boat Boot Challenge for Tŷ Hafan’.
The #BikeBoatBoot challenge involves travelling the length of Wales on off-road cycle paths, mountain hiking trails, and kayaking along the whole length of Lake Bala. The estimated distance is over 200 miles, with the team climbing nearly 18,000 feet.
“Our 2024 challenge is an ultimate and very unique Welsh triathlon,” says Paul Fears, Bunting’s Press Officer and participant in the latest challenge, “and it is tougher and longer than any previous challenge we have undertaken.”
Dads and family members of children supported by Tŷ Hafan are joined by staff from the hospice and key sponsors on this extreme challenge. In all, there are currently 13 team members: Anthony Boggis, Chris Thomas, Dan Forbes, Gareth Jenkins, Georgie Fear, James Meacham, Jason Foster, Laurence Morgan, Lee Morgan, Lloyd Davies, Matthew Evans, Patrick Lord and Paul Fears.
Says Paul, “Many of the participating dads have lost children, whilst other families still receive care and support from Tŷ Hafan. Taking on the challenge is as much about men’s mental health challenges as it is about raising awareness of and funds for the hospice.
“It is widely reported that men do not talk and the #BikeBoatBoot challenge gives a group of dads and uncles the opportunity to be together and support each other in the many weeks of training leading up to the challenge and the event itself.
“When I lost my son in February 2023 my whole world literally fell apart. I was and still am numb.
“As a family we have had amazing support from Tŷ Hafan, but as a dad I’ve had incredible support from other dads. I can talk to them about things that nobody wants to discuss. That support has and still is precious. I’m not sure what I would have done without it.”
“Bunting’s support makes this challenge possible. I cannot thank them enough.”
To support the dads and uncles on the #BikeBoatBoot challenge, please go to their Just Giving page ‘Bike Boat Boot Challenge for Tŷ Hafan’.
For further information please contact us on:
Email: Paul Fears (press@buntingmagnetics.com)
Telephone: +44 (0) 1527 65858
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