10 November 2025 A quarter of a million reasons why we ride

As the wheels came to a halt in Munich this September, marking the end of a gruelling 260-mile ride from Prague and the culmination of our sixth cycling challenge, we reached more than just the final destination of our challenge. With £62,000 raised from this year’s Prague to Munich ride, our cycling events have now collectively generated more than a quarter of a million pounds in support of under-served young people across the UK.

A journey of purpose, not just miles

Our very first ride - Tower to Tower - took place in 2019, when a team of determined riders set off from Blackpool Tower to cycle all the way to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It was more than just an ambitious physical challenge: it was a declaration of belief that every young person, no matter their background or postcode, deserves the opportunity to thrive.

Organised and led by long-standing champions of our mission, Mike Green, Phil Slater, and Stephen Beechey, that first journey set a tone of grit, generosity, and shared purpose. Five days, and 500 miles later, they proved what a small group of people with a big vision could accomplish.

And we didn’t stop there.

Over the years, our wheels have carried us from Carlisle to Newcastle, along the south coast of France, from Vienna to Budapest following the Danube, and from Copenhagen to Berlin, battling gruelling headwinds. Each ride has brought new faces, fresh challenges, and, as always, the same unwavering goal: to support young people who face barriers to success through no fault of their own.

As one rider put it during the Vienna to Budapest challenge:

You’re not just riding a bike - you’re carrying a cause.

That sentiment has echoed through every hill climbed, every puncture fixed, every sore leg pushed one mile further.

More than just a fundraiser

While the fundraising total is something we’re incredibly proud of, these rides have always been about more than just money. They've forged powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors, built lifelong friendships, and connected people through a shared belief that a person’s background should never determine their future. Over the years, these challenges have become a springboard for deeper collaboration - not just on the bike, but in the work that follows.

Willmott Dixon, one of our earliest supporters, backed our very first challenge in 2019 and has stood by us ever since. Their cyclists return year after year, a testament to their enduring commitment to our mission and to the spirit of these events. It’s no exaggeration to say that they’ve become part of the cycling challenges’ beating heart.

Andrew Brookes, National Account Manager said:

Taking part in The Talent Foundry’s cycle challenges has become one of the highlights of my year. As someone who is passionate about education, I’m proud to support a charity that helps young people unlock their potential and improve their opportunities in life. That’s what keeps me coming back each year - well, that and the incredible camaraderie between riders!

Scott Corey, Strategic Accounts & Services Director at Willmott Dixon, added:

The work of The Talent Foundry to drive social mobility among young people from disadvantaged backgrounds is fantastic.

By nurturing what they are good at, then supporting them with employment opportunities, The Talent Foundry makes a huge difference in helping young people get the best possible start.

Morgan Sindall Construction have become an integral part of our journey. In May 2025, they sponsored a UK bike ride from London to Brighton, raising over £14,000 in a single day - and they’re already gearing up for their next event from Manchester to Blackpool in May 2026. These events have helped galvanise their teams and bring new energy to our shared mission.

Another exciting outcome has been the long-term programme partnership we’ve developed with Reds10, an off-site construction specialist who joined their first cycle with us in 2023. Their involvement has since evolved into a two-year commitment to co-deliver a brand-new programme in support of a Construction T-Level at Driffield School in East Riding, Yorkshire, in a school they are also building.

And then there’s Flywheel IT Services, who first got involved in 2021. That one ride turned into a formal partnership, and Flywheel later named The Talent Foundry as their Charity of the Year, offering hands-on tech support including an IT helpdesk and strategic upgrades.

These events - and the relationships they’ve enabled to flourish - have allowed us to expand our impact far beyond the rides themselves. They’ve brought together people from across the construction and education sectors, united by a shared belief in creating opportunity for young people. As Andrew Brookes, National Account Manager, puts it:

I’ve also built great friendships with people from across the industry, including those who usually work for competing companies. It’s a brilliant reminder of what can be achieved when we come together for a shared purpose.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of all our riders, sponsors, volunteers, and supporters, we've continued to grow our work with schools across the country, helping young people to uncover their talents and imagine futures they may never have thought possible.

Pedalling forward

With a quarter of a million already raised, the impact of these rides has been profound. But the journey doesn’t end here. We will keep riding for every young person who’s been told they’re not enough, or who’s never been given a fair chance. For every classroom that needs a spark of belief, we will continue to ride.