Last weekend (18–21 July), our Co-CEOs Kat and Tarn successfully completed the Gear Change Challenge: cycling 107 miles over four days to represent the 107 children who enter the UK care system for the first time every single day.
But, as if that wasn’t tough enough, they cycled every one of those miles together on a tandem bike — a powerful symbol of their co-leadership as we approach the anniversary of Safe Families and Home for Good merging. Riding tandem was an intentional choice to represent something we care deeply about: togetherness. Because it is only together, with everyone playing their part, that we can see a society where no family feels alone, and every child has a home where they can belong.
Kat is an experienced cyclist and sportswoman, but had never ridden on a tandem before and was recovering from an achilles injury before taking on this challenge. Tarn wouldn’t exactly describe herself as an athlete and she had to take on a tough training regime to prepare her body for the physical exertion of the rides.
Before the ride, we asked Kat and Tarn the question: ‘Who are you cycling for?’
Tarn replied: “My kids Mac and Charlie. As you know, we are a family who have adopted. I will be thinking about them, not only because I will miss them on these four days but because I will be thinking about all the other children who need a loving, safe and stable home.”
Kat shared: “So, for me, endurance sport has always been thinking about my mum who was poorly for the majority of her life and taught me what it is to keep going when the odds say you can’t. And so, there’s something about that which also relates to why we are doing this, because of all the incredible people who give their life, whether that’s to fostering or adopting or coming alongside families.”
Day by day: the road to 107 miles
Day 1: London
The challenge began on a sweltering Friday in Richmond Park, with temperatures soaring to 30°C. Kat and Tarn completed four loops of the park, each including a demanding climb. Thankfully, a delivery of ice cream from our partner, Jude’s, brought a welcome break! This 27-mile day turned out to be the longest ride Tarn had ever done, finishing with a picnic before travelling over to Cardiff.
Day 2: Cardiff
The cooler weather brought some relief, and Kat and Tarn received an encouraging send-off from Rob Parsons, CEO of Care for the Family. Their route wound through Cardiff Bay and around the city, made extra special by one rider who acted as a tour guide, pointing out landmarks and history along the way. Eight-year-old Louis joined the ride too, proudly completing his longest ever cycle alongside his dad, Joe!
Day 3: Nottingham
In Nottingham Kat and Tarn were joined by another duo on a tandem, however the day brought fresh challenges as the heavens opened and our riders battled through torrential rain for much of the ride. This resulted in a very muddy ending to the day!
Day 4: Edinburgh
After travelling north, Kat and Tarn took on the final leg through Edinburgh. One rider joined with his 3 year old in a trailer on the back! Hills, city traffic and tight corners meant this day took the longest, but spirits were high as they crossed the finish line — completing the full 107 miles together.
Each leg of the ride presented different challenges – heat, rain, hills, busy streets – but Kat and Tarn persevered together, holding in their minds the motivation for the challenge: the 107 children who enter care for the first time every day.
Kat and Tarn have shown what’s possible when people come together: perseverance, partnership and hope in action. But the journey doesn’t end at the finish line.
Your support can help make sure that more children find loving, stable homes, and that families facing tough times don’t have to walk alone. When you give, you become part of this story too. You can help build a future where no family feels alone and every child has a home where they can flourish.
Together, we really can go further.
👉 You can still give to support Kat and Tarn’s tandem challenge, and help make this vision a reality.
‘The possibilities of what we can do to change the way children and families are cared for in our nation is endless.’ - Kat
