Cliff, 78, cycling Land’s End to John O’Groats for Cornwall charity

Clifford Poultney is 78, currently on blood thinners, and two days away from the toughest ride of his life. On Friday he leaves Land’s End for John O’Groats, all 1,189 miles of it, for a small Cornwall charity that means the world to him.

Thirteen weeks of training, and one battle with the pedals

Cliff signed up for what he calls “the challenge of a lifetime” back in the spring. “Hi, I’m Cliff, I’m 78 and have just signed up for the challenge of a lifetime,” he wrote when he set up his fundraising page. “I’ll be cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats, a gruelling 1189 miles starting on 21st August 2026.” He described an early run-in with his new clip-in pedals, “which, when you’re on blood thinners, is a very messy business.”

Riding for Georgia’s Voice

Georgia’s Voice is a small Cornwall charity supporting the mental health of young women aged 18 to 25, with a focus on suicide prevention. “Our mission is to help support young women aged 18-25 living in Cornwall with mental health concerns, to show them that people do care, and that suicide is not the only option,” the charity says of its work. It keeps every bit of that support free, running peer support groups, well-being activities, counselling and a Hub seven nights a week, work it says is funded almost entirely by fundraising like Cliff’s.

Cheering him on

Georgia’s Voice has been rallying support for Cliff ahead of Friday’s start, calling him “amazing” and “a super star” and asking supporters to leave him messages of encouragement before he sets off. The charity is one of many small Cornish charities that survive almost entirely on public generosity, and it says every bake sale, run, cycle and donation helps keep its doors open for a young woman who needs it.

Cliff’s JustGiving page has already passed £1,260 from 39 donations, with well-wishers calling him “a superstar” and telling him he is “well deserving” of the support, at his age, for taking the challenge on.

“I’m putting everything into raising funds for Georgia’s Voice,” Cliff wrote. “Please help me to help them.”

📷Credit: Georgia's Voice