Businessman takes on 'biggest ever' cycle challenge for CHSW
A local businessman is to take on the challenge of cycling from one end of the UK to the other to raise money for a children’s hospice.
Derek Campion, Managing Director of Avonmouth-based company Filtration Ltd, is to bike the 980 miles from Lands End in Cornwall to John O Groats in Scotland to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).
The challenge is part of the Babble Across Britain event which will see around 800 cyclists use pedal power to raise money for a variety of different charities.
Derek, who will be camping out overnight along the route, will be covering an average of 110 miles every day over nine days and has set himself the challenge of raising £4,000 for CHSW.
This is not the first time that Derek has got on his bike to raise money for the charity.
He took part in CHSW’s Ride for Precious Lives cycling between Bristol and Cornwall in 2021 and 2023.
He also completed a 186-mile overnight ride in Sweden to raise money for the charity.
“I am a keen cyclist,” said Derek, “and regularly cycle around 150 miles a week.
“But the Babble Across Britain is the biggest challenge I have undertaken.
“The longest stretch before that was around 300 miles.”
Derek, who lives in Clevedon, has been a supporter of CHSW for the last five years and is a member of the charity’s Business Club.
“I got involved with CHSW after a friend’s child was cared for at the Charlton Farm hospice,” said Derek.
“He always spoke so highly of the work the charity does and the care and support offered to the family that I wanted to get involved.”
Dad of 3 Derek has been busy training for his challenge which starts on 7 September.
He said: “I have been trying get that bit fitter in preparation for the Babble Across Britain and the other Sunday did 100 miles in just over six hours.
“But doing around 100 miles every day for consecutive days is going to be tough.
“Being a dad myself and knowing what incredible work Children’s Hospice South West does and the support it gives children and their families will be my inspiration when the going gets tough.”
CHSW Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser Amanda Gallagher said: “We are delighted that Derek has decided to support us with this challenge and thank him and the team at Filtration for their continued support to help us make the most of short and precious lives.”
Anyone wanting to support Derek in his challenge can donate via his JustGiving page derek campion is fundraising for Children's Hospice South West (justgiving.com).