As some of you will know, in recent years our Managing Director, Rob has been taking on incredible cycling challenges in aid of a special charity, ‘Smile for Miley’ which helps families of sick children throughout Cumbria and the North East. Smile for Miley was launched by the friends and family of Miley Todd, a little girl who sadly passed away at just ten years old, back in 2018.
As close friends of the family, Rob and Claire wanted to help in whatever way they could and have been committed to supporting the charity ever since. Rob is part of a small group of fundraisers called Miley’s Black Cats, who take on extraordinary cycling and hiking challenges each year in aid of Smile For Miley. Miley adored her pet cat and her favourite colour was lime green, which is why all jerseys, T‑shirts and logos proudly reflect these special details.
To date, the group have completed the UK Three Peaks Challenge, the Ring of Steall, Abrahams Tea Round, Etape Loch Ness, a 280-mile Tour of Cumbria, Allonby to Edinburgh and back among many, many more!
In April this year, the group took part in their second Etape Loch Ness challenge, a gruelling 66-mile closed-road cycle around one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes, with 900 metres of ascent and a 4.8mile climb up Glendoe… not for the faint-hearted.
Training continues as later this month between 21st and 24th May, the group will take on their next challenge, the “Miley’s Black Cats C2C2C” – cycling the Coast to Coast (and back again). The route will begin and finish at Allonby on the coast of West Cumbria, traversing the width of the country passing through Carlisle and Newcastle, to Tynemouth on the North East coast, totalling a whopping 226 miles!!
Speaking about the charity, Rob said “Raising money and supporting this brilliant cause is something that means a lot to us a family. We know that it helps in making a meaningful difference to those families when they need it most.
Every year Story Decorating Group sponsor Miley’s Black Cat’s with the loan of a branded-up van and fuel for the events, and funds which go towards the kit, signage and supplies.
I also take part in the fundraising cycling events, some of which have been tougher than others! Eight of us recently completed the Etape Loch Ness challenge – it was a fantastic event with a great atmosphere and the absolute highlight for me was getting to the top of the big climb at Glendoe (picture below)! What keeps us pushing forwards and taking on these challenges is the important reason behind it and to raise awareness and funds.
We’re reaching out to businesses and individuals we work with, to help us to support the charity in any way they can, and I want to say thankyou to all the people and businesses that have supported us so far, which has made a huge difference!”
Miley’s Black Cat’s primarily give to Crawford House and The Sick Children’s Trust as they supported the Todd family during this tragic time. The Sick Children’s Trust have 10 ‘Homes from Home’ around the country (including Crawford House) which are close to major children’s hospitals, where families with a sick child in hospital can stay. Accommodation includes single, twin and family rooms, allowing families to stay together. It costs £40 per night to support a family, meaning every £1,000 raised funds 25 nights of accommodation. The average family stay is 20 nights. Miley’s Black Cat’s also help other causes such as Jigsaw Cumbria, the children’s hospice. Every penny donated goes to Miley’s Black Cat’s chosen charities.
Rob and Claire would be hugely appreciative, if you would be good enough to consider giving a donation (no matter how small) to this fantastic cause. A Just Giving page has been set up for donations: Miley’s Black Cat’s Just Giving page
Donating through Just Giving is quick, secure, and efficient.
