It has been nearly 10 years since I started working for Mencap, where I am currently a full-time Support Worker Support workers Support workers are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it. are people who are paid to give care and support to people who need it. .
I absolutely love what I do and to my surprise, I was recently named a ‘Hidden Hero’ for my dedication and commitment to my role. Supporting people with a learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. is a lot of fun and I couldn’t think of anything better to do with my time than to help somebody set and achieve aspirations in their life.
When I was in school, I had a couple of friends that had a learning disability and it has always stayed with me.
I have taken on the mega challenge of this year's Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 so that I can raise the profile of learning disability, and because collecting the entire Mencap events wardrobe is one of my life’s goal!
Training (so far!)
Now that the days are longer, I will begin to think about my first cycle at the end of the month. I also have a couple of friends that have got into triathlons and gone on to do Iron Man triathlons, who will no doubt be willing to take me on a very long cycle – I hope I can keep up!
Mentally, the thought of being on a saddle for 6 to 8 hours may present its issues! However, I have the self-belief of completion and commitment to raising the sponsorship for Mencap.
I have taken on a similar endurance challenge, which was to paddle 100 miles over 4 days in a canoe for the Leamington Youth Club that all the affiliated clubs took part in. It was great fun (and hard), and I did it about 4 times on the rivers Wye and Severn.
My fundraising goals
There are a few ideas in my mind about how to raise the funds. First, by doing a car boot sale, which people have already donated items for, and I've been asked to do a cake stall again for the Royal wedding this year – which was very popular!
I hope to inspire my family and friends to get out and about and think about their health more.
I have two children and feel that it makes a good role model for them as they grow up.
In addition to my own target of reaching £1,000, I want to raise the profile of Mencap and learning disability, both nationally and locally.
You can see how my fundraising is coming along on my JustGiving page.
Find out more
Do you think you could take on the Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100 challenge? Find out more and sign up here.
Or, there are plenty of other ways you can get involved Involved is being included in something or taking part in something. to support Mencap. Take a look at some of our other events here.
Also, if you'd like to see how Shaun is getting on with his fundraising, or to make a donation, take a look at his JustGiving page.