After 30 days of pedalling through tough terrains, Graham Caldow finally achieved his goal, raising more than £3,000 for Team Domenica, a charity that helped his daughter, Betsy, secure employment.
His journey, which started in Tarifa, saw him tackle close to 50,000ft of elevation as he crossed Spain to reach Bilbao.
Amid route mishaps, bike troubles and feelings of isolation, Mr Caldow’s resolve remained unbroken.
He completed his ride on February 22.
Graham said: “Spain, the ride, the people; it’s been amazing.
“I cycled from Tarifa to Bilbao to raise much needed funds for Team Domenica.
“Their programmes have changed my daughter’s life and I want to support them to help other young people with additional needs into paid employment because this really does change lives.”
His commitment to conquer this challenge stems from gratitude for the charity, which has enabled his daughter to flourish and develop her skills.
Team Domenica, based in Brighton, was established in 2016 to increase the number of employed people with learning disabilities, which is currently only 4.8 per cent according to NHS Digital 2024.
Eighty per cent of the young people who participate in their Supported Internship Programme have secured paid work.
Betsy’s story is a testament to the impact of the charity.
She was eager and determined to find a job but lacked the requisite opportunities and experience.
However, with the help of Team Domenica’s custom training programmes, Betsy was able to unlock her potential and achieve her dream of independence.
In 2023, after successfully completing a supported internship at the Mercure Hotel on Brighton Seafront, she was offered a permanent role within the Breakfast Team.
Betsy said: “Team Domenica helped me get paid work at the Mercure Brighton with lots of friendly and kind people who understand my needs.
“Having worked there for a year now means I have a lot more money to go out with my friends.
“I am much more confident; I’m not afraid to talk to customers or have a go at new tasks.”
Graham’s arduous journey may have come to an end, but his commitment to support Team Domenica and help other young people like Betsy is far from over.
He has raised more than £3,000 so far, with all the funds going towards providing crucial training for more young people.
Readers are encouraged to support Graham’s cause by contributing to his JustGiving page.
Source link
[Featured]
[Just In]
