When we first started talking about merging our two organisations, we didn’t know we’d end up riding a tandem bike together. But here we are, and it is symbolic. Because for us, togetherness isn’t just a concept– it’s a commitment. A way of leading. A way of serving. And now, with our Gear Change Challenge, it’s a way of pedalling 107 miles for the 107 children who enter care every single day.
Let’s just say: this wasn’t in the original job description!
Tandem Talk: Learning To Move As One
“I’ve done a fair amount of biking in my life,” Kat says, “but this is my first time on a tandem… It’s harder than it looks. Although to be fair, I’m not sure we even made it look that easy!”
Tarn laughs, “I am not a fit person. Exercise and me are not natural bedfellows. So yes, I’m nervous. But we decided to take this challenge on together, because together we can make a bigger impact.”
We’ll be cycling 27 miles a day – in London, Cardiff, Nottingham, and Edinburgh – so 107 miles in total over 4 days, in solidarity with the 107 children who enter the care system every day.
The tandem is a literal representation of what we’ve been building over the past year since our two organisations merged: learning to move in step, keeping pace with each other, leaning into each other’s strengths.
The Merger: How It All Began
We first properly met at a prayer breakfast in London. Kat was speaking, and I (Tarn) went along to support. I sat there thinking, ‘She’s saying everything I’ve said in a talk at some point!’ It wasn’t about rescuing children or fixing communities; it was about belonging. Strengthening communities. Showing the love of God in action. I had this really strong sense that we should be doing this together.
It wasn’t just a spontaneous idea. Our organisations were the same age, our staff teams had been connecting for years, and we often found ourselves speaking with the same voice on the ground. But we needed a shared vision at the top – a unified sense of purpose and direction.
And here’s the thing: most mergers fail because of power. We both knew that. We’d heard the stats – 70% of mergers fail at the leadership level. So before jumping in, we talked through different options. Then came the question that changed everything: what if we shared it?
Different Strengths, One Mission
We’ve found a rhythm that works naturally. Tarn’s skillset is more on the big picture: networking, messaging, advocacy, and being up front, while I (Kat) thrive on the organisational side, managing logistics, processes, and people. It’s never felt like one of us had to force it; our skills just complemented each other from the start.
When we first began working together, consultants commented on how rare it is to see a merger go this smoothly. The more we talked, the more we recognised how well our strengths fit together. We truly believe God gave us grace for this season and it very naturally fell into place.
We know it won’t always be easy. Leadership never is. We’ve committed to having the hard conversations early, to checking in when things feel niggly, and to put the mission first – every time. When ego tries to creep in, we remind ourselves: this isn’t about us. It’s about children and families.
Why This Ride Matters
We’re riding together for the same reason we lead together – because real change doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in partnership. In trusting one another. In moving forward, together.
This challenge isn’t just about two people on a bike. It’s about a movement of people who believe every child deserves to belong. It’s about showing up for the 107 children who enter care each day – and doing so with determination, not despair.
