JOGLE24 - 24 hours on public transport - Can I get from John O'Groats to Land's End?

Each summer, the Campaign for Better Transport runs Better Transport Week - a week long celebration of public transport and call to arms for improvement. Over the last couple of years, I have shared my personal reflections on LinkedIn during the week, and it was through one of those that this challenge was born.

I had seen videos on YouTube of people attempting various 24-hour challenges across the UK and Europe, including travelling from Land's End to John O'Groats by public transport. But it struck me that I had never seen one where people travelled from north to south.

So that is what I shall be attempting to do.

I've done enough research to believe it is possible, but I've not committed to a particular route quite yet - mainly because some of the legs are not yet open for booking. I'll share more details of the proposed route (and the planning of the route) in due course on the updates tab and on the challenge Facebook page.

Why am I doing it?

In January 2023, I suffered from several instances of cough syncope - basically I fainted whilst coughing. I'm not alone, as something like 40% of people in the UK will experience syncope of some form during their lifetime, with varying levels of impact on their daily life.

For me, the circumstances meant I was declared medically unfit to drive for 12 months, so overnight lost the freedom of mobility inherent in driving. I sold the car and went on to re-imagine my life without it. Crucially, I started to properly investigate and use public transport in earnest.

12 months on, I got my driving licence back, but I didn't replace the car. Today, I use public transport for 95% of my travel and only hire a car for those odd occasions when it really is the only practical option.

This has opened my eyes to the possibilities of public transport, as well as some of the challenges! I've become increasingly interested in what the challenges are, how they might be overcome and the work of those trying to do so, including the Campaign for Better Transport.

Who am I raising funds for?

Firstly, Campaign for Better Transport. Campaign for Better Transport is the national organisation working across England and Wales advocating for better, greener, fairer transport for all. They have been working since 1973 to improve transport, enable a better quality of life, reduce inequality and protect the environment. Their vision is for all communities to have access to high-quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life, reduces inequality, and supports a vibrant, productive and decarbonised economy.

Secondly, Chesterfield Canal Trust. Canals, and particularly canal restoration, have been a big part of my life for nearly 20 years. I've volunteered on numerous canal restoration schemes around the country, primarily through the Waterway Recovery Group (WRG), and I remain heavily involved with WRG and its parent body the Inland Waterways Associations. But my first love amongst restoration projects is the Chesterfield Canal, and I have been fortunate enough to be employed by the Chesterfield Canal Trust since 2019.

BONUS Challenge(s)

The main focus of this challenge is about public transport - can I link together bus, coach and train and make all the connections needed? But I wanted to keep a little bit of canal relevance in there somewhere, so this is the focus of my bonus challenge. 

I've had plenty of time to plan the main challenge, and indeed without the extensive research I wouldn't be starting out. That can sometimes be the daily reality of using public transport - so what happens when you have to go somewhere at short notice?

Well for the bonus challenge - let's find out! Anybody who chooses to donate £25 or above will be able to enter a random destination into the virtual hat, with the only stipulations being that it must be in England or Wales, be canal related, and it must be accessible by regular weekday public transport (i.e. not limited to one bus every second Thursday at 5:30am or something daft like that!). A day or so after the main challenge, I'll draw a destination from the virtual hat and have to get there as quickly as I can.

For those who want to donate £100 or above, you will get to also enter ideas for a future public transport challenge, and once I've done some research on them, I'll be putting them to the vote for future fundraising events in 2027 and beyond.

Notes

How is this being paid for? I am paying for all transport and related costs myself, the event is not sponsored by either of the charities or the transport companies involved. All funds raised will be split evenly between the two charities.

Why are there ticket options? Do I have to join you? No, you don't have to join me! The raffle ticket options are the only way I can get the bonus challenges to work. You can donate without using a raffle ticket option if you wish, but you won't be able to enter suggestions in the bonus challenges.