Dad’s 980-mile charity challenge for children’s holiday of a lifetime
A Rustington power worker is cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats to give children with serious illnesses and disabilities the holiday of a lifetime in Florida.
Steven Read, trainee programmes manager at UK Power Networks, is setting off from Land’s End next Saturday (September 10) on a nine-day fundraising challenge for Dreamflight, to help give more children the same dream holiday that both his sons have enjoyed.
Colleagues at UK Power Networks are helping Steven reach his £1,000 fundraising goal towards the £4,500 cost of sending a child on a dream holiday. The firm is also supporting the challenge through its volunteering scheme, which gives staff two paid days to serve their communities and gives staff up to £100 match funding for their fundraising efforts.
Steven’s sons Sam, 25 and Jack, 15, both live with severe Haemophilia A, which prevents their blood from clotting and both enjoyed a holiday they will never forget with Dreamflight to the theme parks of Orlando, after being nominated by Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Steven, a member of Angmering Cycling Club, said: “I want to give something back because it was a fantastic opportunity for Sam and Jack and I would like other children to benefit from the same experience.
“All the children on the trip have a serious illness or disability and this gives them something to look forward to and lifelong memories. They wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to do something really special that can make their lives a bit happier and they have a fabulous time.
“The boys appreciate why I’m doing this, but they think I’m a bit bonkers sitting on a bike for more than six hours a day for nine days. It is a bit mad, but this has been on my bucket list for years, I have always wanted to do this. It’s going to be a fun challenge and I am inspired by athletes with disabilities who overcome their challenges and achieve great results.”
Lisa Bishop, fundraising and communications manager at Dreamflight, said: “Dreamflight never expects the families who benefit from our trips to fundraise for us, but it is very special when they do. We are a very small charity – with just one small office – and need to raise over £1million every year. We are hugely grateful to Steven, to UK Power Networks and to his colleagues for supporting this fabulous challenge. Good luck Steven!”
Steven’s youngest son enjoyed the Dreamflight experience in 2019, just before the pandemic. He received the red-carpet experience from the welcome party at Heathrow attended by Star Wars and Harry Potter characters through to being fast-tracked onto the rides in Orlando.
Due to the children’s health needs medical chaperones care for their needs during the trip.
Dreamflight is a UK charity that takes children with a serious illness or disability on their holiday of a lifetime to Orlando. The experience can be life-changing and gives young people an opportunity to do something that medicine can’t, discovering independence, confidence and a new outlook on life. For information about Dreamflight visit: https://www.dreamflight.org/
Steven’s sponsorship page
Steven Read, trainee programmes manager at UK Power Networks, is setting off from Land’s End next Saturday (September 10) on a nine-day fundraising challenge for Dreamflight, to help give more children the same dream holiday that both his sons have enjoyed.
Colleagues at UK Power Networks are helping Steven reach his £1,000 fundraising goal towards the £4,500 cost of sending a child on a dream holiday. The firm is also supporting the challenge through its volunteering scheme, which gives staff two paid days to serve their communities and gives staff up to £100 match funding for their fundraising efforts.
Steven’s sons Sam, 25 and Jack, 15, both live with severe Haemophilia A, which prevents their blood from clotting and both enjoyed a holiday they will never forget with Dreamflight to the theme parks of Orlando, after being nominated by Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Steven, a member of Angmering Cycling Club, said: “I want to give something back because it was a fantastic opportunity for Sam and Jack and I would like other children to benefit from the same experience.
“All the children on the trip have a serious illness or disability and this gives them something to look forward to and lifelong memories. They wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to do something really special that can make their lives a bit happier and they have a fabulous time.
“The boys appreciate why I’m doing this, but they think I’m a bit bonkers sitting on a bike for more than six hours a day for nine days. It is a bit mad, but this has been on my bucket list for years, I have always wanted to do this. It’s going to be a fun challenge and I am inspired by athletes with disabilities who overcome their challenges and achieve great results.”
Lisa Bishop, fundraising and communications manager at Dreamflight, said: “Dreamflight never expects the families who benefit from our trips to fundraise for us, but it is very special when they do. We are a very small charity – with just one small office – and need to raise over £1million every year. We are hugely grateful to Steven, to UK Power Networks and to his colleagues for supporting this fabulous challenge. Good luck Steven!”
Steven’s youngest son enjoyed the Dreamflight experience in 2019, just before the pandemic. He received the red-carpet experience from the welcome party at Heathrow attended by Star Wars and Harry Potter characters through to being fast-tracked onto the rides in Orlando.
Due to the children’s health needs medical chaperones care for their needs during the trip.
Dreamflight is a UK charity that takes children with a serious illness or disability on their holiday of a lifetime to Orlando. The experience can be life-changing and gives young people an opportunity to do something that medicine can’t, discovering independence, confidence and a new outlook on life. For information about Dreamflight visit: https://www.dreamflight.org/
Steven’s sponsorship page
Keep up to date
Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook for our latest news and updates.