From Cirencester to Ghent: Gareth Howell Rides 547km to Help End Homelessness with Crisis UK

Pedalling for Purpose: Gareth Howell and the EPD Team Take on 547km Charity Ride to End Homelessness.

Eastern Leisure Centre member Gareth Howell is proving that true strength lies not just in physical endurance, but in compassion and purpose. Alongside 14 other dedicated cyclists from the EPD Team, Gareth is embarking on a monumental 547km charity bike ride from Cirencester, UK to Ghent, Belgium — all in support of Crisis, a UK charity committed to ending homelessness and housing insecurity. 

The team has set an ambitious fundraising target of £20,000, with £4,811 already raised. Every kilometre they ride is a powerful statement: a step toward giving someone a second chance at life, shelter, and dignity. 

Their journey begins with a 132km ride from Elkstone to Alton on Day 1. Day 2 sees them push through another 118km from Alton to Newhaven, where they’ll leave the UK behind and cross the English Channel to Dieppe, France. Day 3 is expected to be the most gruelling — a 160km stretch from Dieppe to Bethune, where fatigue and mental barriers will test their resolve. But it’s their mission that will keep them moving forward. 

On Day 4, the final 112km leg from Bethune to Ghent will be a ride not for glory, but for change. Gareth and the EPD Team are leaving comfort behind to push their limits for those who don’t have a place to call home. 

This isn’t just a cycling challenge — it’s a movement. It’s about raising awareness, inspiring action, and showing that together, we can make a difference. 

If you’d like to support Gareth and the EPD Team on their journey, visit their fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/edp20for20