A Manchester man is setting off today (November 15) on a 10,000-mile journey to Thailand using only a bicycle and his own two legs, hoping to raise £50,000 for two charities close to his heart.
Ashley Milne, 35, will cycle from Manchester to Thailand without catching a single flight, largely camping along the route as he makes his way across Europe and beyond. The challenge is intended to mark a positive new chapter in his life after personal struggles, time in prison and the loss of several people close to him.
Fundraising for Mind and the MND Association
His ultimate fundraising ambition is to raise £50,000 for Mind and the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association. Ashley is also hoping to use the experience to show that a person's past does not have to define their future.
Speaking ahead of setting off, he said he was feeling excited about the challenge. He has a personal connection to Thailand, having first visited as a child with his stepfather, who has since died. Ashley later spent four years living in the country and has always felt a strong attachment to it.
Now, he plans to take his stepfather's ashes with him and scatter them at his favourite part of the island. He said: "My stepdad, who passed away, took me there on holiday. It was the first place he ever took me. I was there for six weeks when I was a kid and I've had a massive connection to it."
A journey in memory of loved ones
The journey will also be dedicated to other people Ashley has lost, including his biological father, Roy Bentley, and his childhood friend Tom. His biological father died when Ashley was young, meaning they never had the opportunity to build a close relationship. The death of his childhood friend, who died by suicide just six weeks after Ashley's father, had a particularly profound impact on him.
Ashley said his own experiences with mental health had made him increasingly aware of the struggles other people can face. He hopes that by sharing his story and taking on the challenge, he can encourage conversations around mental health and help raise money for organisations supporting those affected.
Giving something back after past mistakes
He has been open about his previous experiences with crime and time spent in prison, acknowledging that he has made mistakes and caused harm in his community. But he is determined to use the life he has now to give something back.
He said: "I need to do something good and positive in my life. I've made mistakes and I accept that. I don't expect people to forget that, but I want to use the life I have now to do something positive and give something back."
His GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help cover the costs of the expedition itself, including cycling equipment, food, accommodation, repairs, visas and travel insurance. Ashley has stressed that donations towards the journey are separate from the money he hopes to raise for Mind and the MND Association, with separate fundraising links planned so supporters can donate directly to the charities.
He initially hopes to raise around £5,000 towards the costs of travelling, with the wider ambition of raising £50,000 for the two charities.
Solo ride with family support
Ashley will be travelling alone for most of the challenge, although two of his cousins are planning to join him for the beginning of the journey before heading back after a day or two. He is also hoping to attract support from businesses and sponsors, as well as donations of cycling equipment and practical help along the way.
Ashley knows his past may mean some people are sceptical about his challenge, but says he understands that and is focused on demonstrating through his actions that he wants to make a difference. He said: "I know not everyone will support me because of my past, and I understand that. All I can do is keep showing up, take responsibility and work towards making a difference."
As he prepares to leave Manchester, he hopes the journey will become something bigger than an individual cycling challenge – helping support people experiencing mental health difficulties, remembering those no longer here and giving something back to the community.
