The founder of Land Studio, the Chester and Wales based specialist landscape and environmental design studio, has taken on a cycling challenge for charity.
Landscape architect Simon Richards joined 28 fellow cyclists on a two-day ride from Kendal to Leeds in aid of Cyclists Fighting Cancer, arriving in the city in time for UKREiiF, one of the UK’s leading responsible investment and infrastructure forums.
SLR Cycle to UKREiiF is a cycle challenge for property professionals. Riders cycle from the Lake District, tackling the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales, before finishing in Leeds, all while raising funds for Club Peloton and its supported charitable project delivered by Cyclists Fighting Cancer.
Cyclists Fighting Cancer helps children and young people living with and beyond cancer to get pedalling on their road to recovery. Fundraising for the event will be used to fund 40 lightweight bikes, as well as helmets, additional equipment and specialist support for children and young people currently living with cancer.
CFC’s primary aim is to help children maintain their physical fitness, improve mental wellness both during and after treatment and reduce social isolation in a fun and exciting way.
Simon said: “The ride was a brilliant example of how business development is changing. The days of standing in a conference hall with a glass of warm white wine, exchanging business cards with strangers, feel increasingly distant.
“In their place, formats like this — shared physical challenges, charitable endeavour, and genuine human connection — are producing something far more valuable: real relationships built on shared experience rather than a sales pitch.
“Covering the miles from Kendal through the Yorkshire Dales and into Leeds, there was plenty of time to talk — not about projects or fees, but about what drives people, what they care about, and why they do what they do. By the time we rolled into the city, the connections made felt meaningful in a way that a networking drinks reception rarely achieves.
“The ride raised vital funds for Cyclists Fighting Cancer, a charity that provides cycles and adaptive equipment to children and young people with cancer.
“It was an honour to be part of the group — and proof, if it were needed, that the best business development rarely feels like business development at all.”
Land Studio is a respected multi-disciplinary studio combining landscape architecture, civil engineering and ecology. The company, which has offices in Chester, North Wales and Cardiff, is dedicated to creating nature-based design solutions that enhance biodiversity and connect people with the natural world.
The studio works across sectors which range from education and housing to historic estates and holiday parks and employs a team of expert landscape architects, civil engineers and ecologists – bridging disciplines to deliver holistic design and planning solutions.