Thirty-six employees from UK Power Networks swapped their hard hats for cycling helmets to take part in the Palace-to-Palace challenge, a 50-mile ride from London to Surrey in support of The King's Trust.
The team set off at 8am on a misty autumn morning and collectively raised £9,149 to help tackle youth unemployment across the UK.
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. This year marks the charity's 50th anniversary, five decades of helping young people develop skills, confidence and opportunities.
A personal connection to the cause
For Cesar Ruiz, an energy data scientist at UK Power Networks, the cause carries particular meaning. The Palace-to-Palace ride was the second fundraising event he has completed in support of The King's Trust. While studying in 2021, Ruiz received a scholarship that helped fund his education and pursue his career goals.
Ruiz said taking part was an unforgettable experience, describing the charity as fantastic and the ride as a chance to spend time with colleagues while giving something back to society. He added that, having received a scholarship himself, it means a lot to be able to help provide similar opportunities for other young people, and that being given such support can make a real difference.