A Brecon resident has completed a 2,600km solo cycle from the UK to Ukraine for a good cause.
Taniya Morris MBE took on the challenge in aid of Voices of Children. The charitable foundation provides psychological, psychosocial, and targeted humanitarian support to Ukrainian families and children affected by the war.
The challenge begun on June 16 and concluded last week on the 24th day of the challenge when Taniya reached Dorohusk - a village in southeastern Poland, at the border with Ukraine.
Taniya cycled, on average, more than 100km each day through the UK, The Netherlands, Germany, and Poland, to reach her destination.
Over the course of the challenge, Taniya had to battle through intense heat, wind, and thunderstorms among many other challenges - including a puncture on day five.
Taniya, who camped for the majority of the challenge, also had to copy with a variety of road-based challenges - including business and plenty of bumpiness!
As well as challenges, Taniya’s journey was full of meetings with various kind-hearted people, including the owner of a campsite in Brochów, Poland who gifted her some home-made jam and apples, and man in Warsaw who donated £50 to her cause.
Writing in her blog about the final leg of her journey, Taniya said: “The fact that I have cycled to a country in Europe, on our doorstep, that is at war, one where children, amongst many others of course, are the innocent victims of unspeakable horrors is something that I never have imagined could be a reality. I have to admit to shedding a few tears on the way.”
Polish border guards unfortunately were unable to let Taniya cross into Ukraine to symbolically take the final step of the challenge - but once that disappointment had drifted away, she met with her husband Clive with a view to return to the UK over the coming days via campervan.
Taniya will return to Brecon on Friday, July 26 and a reception is being planned for her outside Theatr Brycheiniog at 3pm. Everyone is welcome to join her and show their support.
You can still support Taniya via her JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/taniya-morris-cycles-to-ukraine?utm_term=95Q5AeWPm