A Burton teenager who undertook a gruelling 260-mile off-road mountain bike ride across the UK is putting his feet up after successfully conquering his challenge and helping to raise thousands of pounds for the Sea Cadets.
Leading Cadet Felix Scully-Crane, 16, is back at home after he and his dad, Nick, and his mum – Sub Lieutenant (SCC) Nikki Scully-Crane RNR, commanding officer of the Burton Sea Cadet unit – completed the cross-country ride from Accrington, Lancashire, all the way down to London.
The family took on the challenge alongside Commander Charlie Bagot-Jewitt, who planned the trip in order to raise money for the MSSC (Marine Society & Sea Cadets), the UK charity which runs the Sea Cadets organisation.
Teen Sea Cadet completes 260-mile UK cycling challenge
It took them through all manner of terrain, via Sheffield, Nottingham and Northampton, with Felix and Nick, who is a civilian instructor at Burton’s Sea Cadet unit, riding alongside Cmdr Bagot-Jewitt, Royal Marines Officer Paul Gillespie-Antal and Leading Cadet Hadley Scott-Illingworth, who attends a Sea Cadet unit in Accrington.
Nikki, meanwhile, provided back-up support by using her camper van as a support vehicle.
Felix had helped to plan the route, which involved visiting Sea Cadet units along the way and passed through some of England’s most demanding terrain, including the Peak District.
Challenging conditions across Peak District and beyond
And it was during this stretch on Day Two when the riders had to dig the deepest, with cold weather, tough conditions and heavy rain taking their toll and threatening to derail their effort.
Nikki said: “There were some really steep climbs and rough terrain, and with the sideways rain it was really tough going, so much so that Charlie was thinking of calling it off for the day.
“But the boys all decided to keep going and kept telling each other that they were going to do it, that they just had to be determined and dig deep.
“They were also helped by a friendly farmer, Sarah, who gave them warm food and tumble dried their wet clothes, which was very kind of her, and let us meet her newborn lambs.
“Kindness like that, plus the warm welcome we got along the way from the units, was so important, and made the whole bike ride a fantastic experience.”
It took the riders six days to reach the end of the ride, at MSSC HQ in London on April 2, where they were met by Guy Holloway, the CEO of the MSSC, and so far the ride has raised around £3,000.
To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/page/charles-bagot-jewitt-2
This press release was distributed by Penguin PR. To find out more contact Simon Burch on 07735 397888 or by email at [email protected]
