Pedalling for Purpose, A Journey Across Italy with a Mission

Richard Haldane, Class of 2015, left Bangkok Patana in Year 8 back in 2010. In August 2024, Richard made a bold decision: to leave work and cycle through every region of Italy, spending up to 10 days in each, not just to explore, but to connect with the land, with his roots and with a purpose close to his heart.

With family ties to Italy on his mother’s side, Richard set out to improve his fluency in Italian, visit relatives, and see the country from a slower, more immersive perspective, one pedal at a time. “I figured the best way to get around flexibly, ride off the beaten path by bicycle,” he shared.

But this isn’t just a personal journey. Richard is also raising funds for the Manchester Breast Centre in honour of his mum, who bravely overcame Lobular Breast Cancer (LBC), a form of cancer that affects around 15% of patients and often evades early detection. The Manchester Breast Centre, in collaboration with the Lobular Moon Shot Project, is pioneering vital research into LBC to find more targeted treatments and improve early diagnosis.

Over the course of 105 days, Richard cycled through 17 of Italy’s 20 regions, covering more than 5,000km. He began in the north and made his way south to Sicily, braving the rising summer heat, and continued to Sardinia, then Campania (Naples), and finally Lazio (Rome). Along the way, he reunited with his parents in Taormina, sharing a memorable moment with Mount Etna in the back.

From the rolling vineyards of Tuscany to the rugged peaks of the Dolomites, Richard’s ride is a testament to resilience, purpose, and love. You can follow his journey and support his cause by donating to help fund crucial research into Lobular Breast Cancer.

To support Richard’s ride and the Manchester Breast Centre’s work, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/richardhaldanecyclingitaly

“Even though I’ll be alone on the bike most days… I’ll still need to speak Italian daily. Immersion is the best teacher.” – Richard Haldane