Thirty-six employees from UK Power Networks have completed a 50-mile charity cycle from London to Surrey, raising £9,149 for The King's Trust.
The team took on the Palace-to-Palace challenge, setting off at 8am on a misty autumn morning and swapping their usual hard hats for cycling helmets. Riders drawn from across the business covered the distance together, collecting funds aimed at tackling youth unemployment across the UK.
Riding for young people
The King's Trust supports young people by providing opportunities, training and confidence-building programmes intended to help them start careers and build brighter futures. The money raised by the UK Power Networks cyclists goes towards that mission.
For one rider the cause carries particular meaning. Cesar Ruiz, an energy data scientist at UK Power Networks, took part in the second fundraising event he has completed in support of The King's Trust. While studying in 2021, he received a scholarship that helped fund his education and pursue his career goals.
Ruiz described the challenge as an unforgettable experience. He said the charity was a fantastic cause and that the ride was also a welcome chance to spend time with colleagues while giving something back to society. It meant a great deal, he added, to now be able to help provide similar opportunities for other young people, and having been in that position himself, he knows how much that support can make a difference.
A fiftieth anniversary year
This year marks the 50th anniversary of The King's Trust, which is celebrating five decades of helping young people develop skills, confidence and opportunities.