After 30 days of countless hills, lonely stretches, and more punctures than we dare to count, Graham Caldow has finished his epic 1,000-mile cycle across Spain, fundraising over £3,000 for Team Domenica!

For Graham, this was more than just a test of endurance and determination. It was a deeply personal mission to give back to Team Domenica, the charity that transformed his daughter’s life.

A father’s fundraising journey

Setting off from Tarifa, Graham pedalled his way across diverse terrains, racking up almost 50,000ft of elevation as he worked his way to Bilbao. He faced route mishaps, bike troubles and an enormous sense of isolation. But, on Saturday 22 February, Graham completed his challenge, finishing his adventure with pride.

Reflecting on his journey, he shared:

Spain, the ride, the people; it’s been amazing. But the reason why I cycled from Tarifa to Bilbao is to raise much needed funds for Team Domenica. Their programme has 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 their future lives.

Graham’s determination to complete this challenge reflects his dedication to the charity that gave his daughter the chance to grow her talents and thrive.

Inspired by Betsy’s success

In the UK, less than 5% of people with learning disabilities are in paid work (NHS Digital, 2024). Team Domenica are here to change this.

Betsy’s story is just one example of our transformative impact. Despite her determination and desire for paid work, Betsy lacked the opportunities and experience needed to achieve her goals. Through our bespoke training programmes, she found the support she needed to unlock her potential and gain the independence she’d always dreamed of.

In 2023, after completing a supported internship at the Mercure Hotel on Brighton Seafront, she was offered a permanent, paid position within the Breakfast Team. Fast forward to today and Betsy is thriving in her role. She loves the independence employment has given her and she talks about her job with pride whenever someone asks about it.

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.

Betsy, Team Domenica candidate

There’s still time to support Graham

Graham’s journey may be over, but his mission to support Team Domenica continues. He’s raised over £3,000 so far, with every pound helping us provide vital training and support to more young people like Betsy.

You can still show your support by donating to Graham Caldow’s JustGiving page. Every pound makes a difference, giving young people with learning disabilities the chance to thrive and achieve their true potential.