James Beeson from New Milton to ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats in aid of child bereavement charities Simon Says and Winston’s Wish

A NEW Milton personal trainer is set to embark on an epic 980-mile charity cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats, in memory of his parents whom he lost in childhood.

James Beeson (41) was just seven years old when his dad was killed in a car accident, and five years later he lost his mum to cancer. Now he is aiming to raise £6,000 for two local charities which offer bereavement support to children and youngsters.

Setting off from Land’s End on Saturday, James is set to cover around 110 miles a day to complete his journey to Scotland in nine days.

So far James has raised £5,488 for Winston’s Wish and Simon Says.

James recalls: “I had just turned seven when I lost my dad in a car accident on the way home from his work’s Christmas party. Just five years later just as I started secondary school, I also lost my mum to cancer.

“I know from personal experience just how difficult it is to cope with grief, as a young child and especially as you get older.

“I was one of the fortunate ones in that my aunt and uncle took me in, but there was no professional support easily available to kids in my situation.”

He added: “When I was younger, I was just quiet but as I grew older, I found myself getting more and more angry and found myself in lots of tough circumstances. How do you learn to become an adult when you’ve lost two parents?”

He is undertaking the challenge with friends Sam Woodsford and Tom Ellingworth, also from New Milton.

He said: “Simon Says is a local charity and Winston’s Wish supports grieving kids all over the UK, and they continue to support bereaved young people right to the age of 25, which I think is a really critical stage, especially when you’ve suffered bereavement.”

It’s estimated that around 100 young people across the UK are bereaved by the loss of a parent every day, with many more impacted by the loss of friends, siblings and significant adults in their lives. Winston’s Wish provides support via web content, the Grief in Common Podcast series, as well as on-demand services such as live chat, free phone services and one-to-one sessions.

James added: “I’m looking forward to seeing different parts of the countryside. It’s one thing to be driving from place to place but by bike it’s a completely different experience.

“Running a business and having a family means life is always busy, and dealing with your own head can be tough. I’m at peace on my bike, it’s my time to wind down and switch off and allow myself to have that headspace.”

To support James with his fundraising challenge visit https://bit.ly/3X6N7qu