The Knighthood – A lockdown challenge

Wherever you are in the world you will have felt the effect of COVID-19 in some way. This was supposed to be my first year of ultra-distance racing and a shift away from the fundraising, DIY challenges as Miles for Wishes. I’ve resolved to come out of this period of lockdown and isolation stronger, fitter and happier…but there are many who won’t come out of this period the same. We live in unprecedented and uncertain times – so its time for an unprecedented challenge, to suffer and to support those in our communities who are in most need.

On the 26th of April I’ll aim to raise £500 for The Trussell Trust by becoming a Knight of Sufferlandria

UPDATE – Due to technical issues (my laptop exploding…) I’ve had to put the challenge back a couple of weeks – the event will now take place on Sunday 3 May 2020.

The Challenge

Simply put, this is about suffering so that someone else doesn’t have to.

The Knighthood is a fiendishly simple concept, completing 10 Sufferfest videos, back to back in one day. These videos are high-intensity, low-volume workouts, that are on average 50 minutes in length – making this around a 10 hour challenge.

If you don’t know it, Sufferfest is a complete training app for cyclists and triathletes designed by world-class coaches combine yoga, mind and strength training to reach your true potential. The subscription gives you unlimited streaming or offline access to their complete library of structured video workouts.

What makes this a different kind of challenge

I am largely a solo cyclist so while long rides alone don’t worry me too much, this really is the kind of challenge you’d normally want to do with friends and supporters. Self-isolation means that isn’t possible, which will only add to the suffering.

Anyone who’s sat on a turbo trainer for any serious amount of time knows it can quickly become monotonous and soul destroying, there is no traffic or weather or landscapes, just me, the bike and the four walls of my small living room. Cycling indoors means I’ll be sat in a static position for far longer than I would do normally and while there will be no weather per se, the ability to keep cool will be a huge factor in the challenge.

Suffering so someone else doesn’t have to

At the end of last year, after Run The Peaks ended early, I said I’d take a step back from fundraising. However, we are in unprecedented times and as such I’ve decided to support The Trussell Trust as part of this challenge.

The Trussell Trust provide a nationwide network of food banks, offering emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, as well as campaigning to end the need for food banks in the UK. In the UK, more than 14 million people are living in poverty – including 4.5 million children. The use of food banks increased 19% last year.

COVID-19 has touched lives right across the globe, in very different ways. Sadly, those in most in need will suffer the greatest. The need for food banks, emergency food and support has never been so vital. Food banks have never had so much pressure put upon them, many are being forced to shut because of combination of reduced volunteers and a decline in donations – as well as concerns over the risk of infection.

Food banks shouldn’t have to exist is the first place, but sadly they do and they will face an unprecedented challenge in the coming weeks and months – we need to make sure that the people unable to afford the essentials can get the help they need, when they need it.

Rightly, people are concerned for their own and their loved ones welfare, shopping is getting harder, people are loosing their jobs or having their hours and their wages reduced – frankly its a rubbish time to fundraise. But, we are our best selves when we think of others, when we act as a community and support those who need to be lifted up the most. The way in which we have shopped has changed dramatically and as such donations to food banks continue to reduce – just giving a few pounds can ensure that emergency food and support continues to be provided where it is needed most. Sadly, that need is only going to grow as the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt.

Please, DONATE, and help The Trussell Trust to support those in most need

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/theknighthood

Or, if you want to donate directly to the Trussell Trust, you can by Text –

To donate text TRUSSELL 2 (to donate £2, or TRUSSELL 5 to donate £5, or TRUSSELL 10 to donate £10) to 70085 it’s that simple!

The good news is they will receive 100% of every donation and there’s nothing else you need to do.