Barnardo’s director Jonathan Whalley is travelling across Wales, including Pembrokeshire, on an electric unicycle as part of an epic 1,000 mile journey to raise vital funds for vulnerable children.
Jonathan will take in sights, including the Brecon Beacons, the Peak District and the Dublin birthplace of Dr. Thomas Barnardo who founded the charity more than 150 years ago.
The adventure will see him travel through all four countries of the UK over 12 days. He arrives in Wales on Saturday on day one of his journey and will pass through Monmouth and Abergavenny before crossing the Beacons to Llandeilo.
On Sunday, it is on to Carmarthen where he hopes to visit the Barnardo’s Cymru shop before heading for Pembroke Dock via Whitland and Templeton. Then it’s onto the ferry for a trip to Ireland.
Jonathan, Barnardo’s South East and Anglia regional director, said: “I am really excited to be doing something that has never been done before while supporting vulnerable children and young people.
“I have done lots of training and while it may look easy it certainly isn’t. I have had lots of falls and bumps while practising, but I don’t think anything will quite prepare me for the real thing. It will be like running back to back marathons for 12 days!”
The challenge will entail 10-14 hours of standing up and riding each day, averaging around 100 miles. There are no planned rest days and the 20Kg weight he will be carrying is equivalent to that of Royal Marines in training. He will also have to navigate in remote areas travelling on minor and unclassified roads.
Jonathan is undertaking the challenge to raise funds as well as to highlight the breadth and variety of Barnardo’s work across the UK. Barnardo’s services include supporting young people who are at risk of sexual exploitation, short breaks for children with disabilities, support for children whose parents are sick, disabled or in prison plus fostering and adoption services.
Jonathan will be joined on his journey by Ian Sampson from Speedy Feet UK who have supplied the electric unicycle.
To support Jonathan on his journey please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/onewheel-oneway
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