Wrexham Longfields staff tackle Holyhead to Cardiff in 3-day cycle ride

• Wrexham project therapists raise £3,700 for key service for vulnerable young people

Three naive yet well intended women have ridden from Holyhead to Cardiff and raised over £3,700 for Action for Children and the service they provide at Longfields RAP (Repatriation and Prevention).

Clare Cawthorn, Julia Booth and Lyndsey Kevan are all therapists at the project and work therapeutically with young people in Wrexham and Flintshire, encouraging greater control over their emotions and behaviours, particularly in relation to processing negative life experiences so as to develop resilience and improved emotional well-being.

Despite not being cyclists previously, the trio tackled the epic 258-miles in just 3 days!

Julia Booth said: ‘I would say to anybody sign for the challenge because the sense of achievement both in raising money and completing the event are amazing. None of us are cyclists so it was a very steep learning curve getting to grips with gears, bicycle maintenance, clipping in and out, which caused many falls and of course, hill training preparation.

Clare Cawthorn said: ‘It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, and I was very nervous leading up to it. But having completed it, I feel really proud and it was a definitely a life changing experience. I am so glad that I was able to support the work we do at Action for Children and if we can work with more children or have more resources as a result of this, then that’s brilliant.’

Lyndsey Kevan said: ‘When I saw this challenge advertised I thought it would be a great way to get to know colleagues, given that I was a new starter, as well as do something wonderful to raise money for the amazing service we provide and so the badgering started!

‘As soon as the snow would let me, I started training and whilst some days were incredibly hard I overcome my pain with the recognition of a few hours of discomfort on the saddle is nothing in comparison to some of the pain our children and families experience. As for the challenge itself, I absolutely loved it and will forever be changed by the stories heard and the experiences shared.’

You have until the end of August to continue to help the team raise even more money for this great cause by donating directly to their individual just giving pages on www.justgiving.com, just type in their names to find their pages.