Gregory Group Employees Set to Cycle 1,000 Miles for Mental Health Charity Mind

Gregory Group employees to take on epic John O’Groats to Land’s End ride for mental health charity Mind

Two Gregory Group employees will set off on a 1,000-mile cycle from John O’Groats to Land’s End this Saturday, raising money for the mental health charity Mind.

The challenge is part of the company’s annual charity fundraising efforts, with Mind chosen by staff as Gregory Group’s 2025 Charity of the Year.

On the Road for 16 Days

Over the course of 16 days, Kevin Murrin and Darren Clifford will cycle up to 100 miles a day, stopping at Gregory Group depots across the country for rest and support.

Kevin, a Convenor at the national logistics company, came up with the idea after reflecting on the familiar route taken by many of the firm’s lorries. He soon recruited Darren, who welcomed the opportunity to trade his HGV for a bicycle.

“This challenge is irresistible,” said Kevin, 66, who has lived in North Tawton all his life and has been a retained firefighter for 42 years. “I’ve watched the company grow and do so much for our local economy and community… so I was keen to give something back.”

The North Tawton headquarters will be one of their stops as they head towards the finish line at Land’s End on Sunday 20th July.

Promoting Mental Health Support

Darren, 55, is a tramper, typically spending five days at a time travelling across the UK in his artic and sleeping in his cab. He said the ride is a way to raise awareness of the support Mind offers.

“There are times when your mental health suffers,” Darren said. “Exercise, particularly getting out on my bike, is brilliant for my mental health, so when Kevin approached me, I just couldn’t say no.”

The duo will be supported on their journey by Gregory Group colleague Mike Hamlyn, who will be their support driver throughout the challenge.

Ride Schedule

Their route and dates are as follows:

• Saturday 5th July – John O’Groats to Lairg

• Sunday 6th July – Lairg to Inverness

• Monday 7th July – Inverness to Dalwhinnie

• Tuesday 8th July – Dalwhinnie to Perth

• Wednesday 9th July – Perth to Livingston

• Thursday 10th July – Livingston to Queenslie

• Friday 11th July – Queenslie to Ecclefechan

• Saturday 12th July – Ecclefechan to Kendal

• Sunday 13th July – Kendal to Wigan

• Monday 14th July – Wigan to Telford

• Tuesday 15th July – Telford to Tewkesbury

• Wednesday 16th July – Tewkesbury to Bristol

• Thursday 17th July – Bristol to Cullompton

• Friday 18th July – Cullompton to North Tawton

• Saturday 19th July – North Tawton to Fraddon

• Sunday 20th July – Fraddon to Land’s End

If you spot them on their journey, Gregory Group encourages people to give them a wave.

You can follow Kevin and Darren’s progress at gregory.co.uk/articles/cycling-for-mind-riding-1000-miles, or donate directly on their JustGiving page.