Thirty-six employees from UK Power Networks have raised £9,149 for The King's Trust after completing a 50-mile Palace-to-Palace charity cycle ride from London to Surrey.
Setting off at 8am on a misty autumn morning, the team swapped hard hats for cycling helmets for the challenge. The money raised is intended to help tackle youth unemployment across the UK.
The King's Trust supports young people by providing opportunities, training and confidence-building programmes to help them start careers and build brighter futures.
For Cesar Ruiz, an energy data scientist at UK Power Networks, the cause has a personal connection. While studying in 2021 he received a scholarship that helped fund his education and pursue his career goals, and the Palace-to-Palace ride was the second fundraising event he has completed in support of the charity.
Ruiz said taking part was an unforgettable experience. He described The King's Trust as a fantastic charity and said the ride was also a good opportunity to spend time with colleagues while giving something back to society. He added that he had been fortunate to receive a scholarship while studying, and that it meant a lot to now be able to help provide similar opportunities for other young people. He said he knew what it felt like to be in that position, and that being given such support can make a real difference.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of The King's Trust, celebrating five decades of helping young people develop skills, confidence and opportunities.