A daredevil biker is set for a desert challenge to raise money for a Wrexham charity.
Caroline Platt, who is the managing director of Wrexham-based Platts Agriculture, is swapping her office wear for biker leathers as she plans to take on a 10-day trail around the Arabian peninsula next year.
The challenge, that's been described as one of the toughest, most remote motorbike challenges in the world, will see the company boss take on a ride from Dubai to Oman.
She will be joined by her friend Ani Sutton, founder of Discover Dynamix, and a group of other motorcycling enthusiasts including Neil Laughton, who previously climbed Everest with Bear Grylls.
Ms Platt hopes to raise £15,000 for WeMindTheGap, a Wrexham-based charity that runs a 12-month programme to support young people aged 18 to 25.
She has already completed three other fundraising challenges over the last two years – trekking 100 kilometres across Wadi Rum desert in Jordan, walking 65 kilometres from Finland into the Arctic Circle, and participating in a dance-off for Nightingale House Hospice.
She said: "I really do find that pushing myself out of my comfort zone keeps me on my toes physically and mentally.
"It enhances my alertness and gives me the confidence to know that I am able to tackle all kinds of obstacles and big decisions in work or out."
Although a regular motorbike rider, this will be Ms Platt's first off-road fundraising experience.
She said: "I love motorbikes.
"I have been to Croatia on a motorbike and last year my friend and I toured Ireland on bikes, but we are both road riders really.
"This trip in January will be unlike anything we’ve done or even contemplated before.
"We’ll be hiring specialist bikes when we arrive, models that are suitable for the extreme terrain."
Ms Platt was inspired to take on the adventure by a conversation with Mr Laughton.
She said: "I’ve met Neil a few times, he’s an amazing character, hugely inspiring so when he put the idea of this latest adventure to me I thought well I’ve just got to give it a go."
WeMindTheGap’s We Grow project provides courses for 11–25-year-olds who have dropped out of education and are struggling to find work.
The charity focuses on connecting young people with employers and finding practical ways to improve their prospects.
Ms Platt's support for the project grew after hosting a 'gappie' for work experience at Platts.
She said: "I’d love to raise enough to be able to fund a work placement for a young person, to give them a real head start on the road to a fulfilling career and life.
“With all the traumatic challenges the world has faced in the last few years many young people’s needs have been pushed aside.
“So many promising young talents of the next generation feel they’ve been forgotten. They face financial, practical and administrative barriers in their efforts to move forward, some have emotional setbacks or mental health issues to overcome.
For more information about WeMindTheGap and its projects, visit wemindthegap.org.uk.
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