The founder of Land Studio, a specialist landscape and environmental design company, has completed a challenging cycling journey for charity. Simon Richards joined 28 fellow cyclists on a two-day ride from Kendal to Leeds to raise vital funds for Cyclists Fighting Cancer. The determined riders arrived in the city in time for a leading national investment and infrastructure forum.
The special property event sees professionals cycle from the Lake District through the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales. All funds raised from the strenuous journey are used to help children and young people living with and beyond cancer. The money will fund 40 lightweight bikes, helmets, extra equipment and specialist support for young people currently undergoing treatment. The charity aims to help children maintain physical fitness, improve mental wellness and reduce social isolation in a fun way.
Simon said: “The ride was a brilliant example of how business development is changing. The days of standing in a conference hall with a glass of warm white wine, exchanging business cards with strangers, feel increasingly distant. In their place, formats like this — shared physical challenges, charitable endeavour, and genuine human connection — are producing something far more valuable: real relationships built on shared experience rather than a sales pitch.”
“Covering the miles from Kendal through the Yorkshire Dales and into Leeds, there was plenty of time to talk — not about projects or fees, but about what drives people, what they care about, and why they do what they do. By the time we rolled into the city, the connections made felt meaningful in a way that a networking drinks reception rarely achieves.”
“The ride raised vital funds for Cyclists Fighting Cancer, a charity that provides cycles and adaptive equipment to children and young people with cancer. It was an honour to be part of the group — and proof, if it were needed, that the best business development rarely feels like business development at all.”
The local design studio works across various sectors, including education, housing, historic estates and holiday parks. Their dedicated team of experts is passionate about creating nature-based solutions that connect people with the natural world. For more details about the design team and their ongoing community projects, you can visit their official website.
