Thirty-six employees from UK Power Networks took part in the Palace-to-Palace challenge, cycling 50 miles from London to Surrey to raise money for The King's Trust.
The riders set off at 8am on a misty autumn morning, swapping their hard hats for cycling helmets. Together they raised £9,149 for the charity, which supports young people by providing opportunities, training and confidence-building programmes intended to help them start careers and build brighter futures.
For Cesar Ruiz, an energy data scientist at UK Power Networks, the cause is a personal one. The ride was the second fundraising event he has completed in support of The King's Trust. While studying in 2021, he received a scholarship that helped fund his education and pursue his career goals.
Ruiz said the challenge was an unforgettable experience and described the charity as fantastic, adding that it was also a good opportunity to spend time with colleagues while giving something back to society.
He said he had been fortunate to receive a scholarship while studying, and that it means a great deal to now help provide similar opportunities for other young people, noting that such support can make a real difference to those in that position.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of The King's Trust, celebrating five decades of helping young people develop skills, confidence and opportunities.