Paul’s challenge formed part of a wider fundraising effort by colleagues from estate agent, Dacre Son & Hartley, alongside teams from Simply Conveyancing, Mortgage Advice Bureau, and Kempston Parkes Surveyors, who completed a 16-mile charity trek from Bingley to Leeds on October 9. 2025.
Whilst the rest of the team set off from Bingley’s Five Rise Locks, Paul began his journey at dawn in Liverpool, cycling the entire length of the Leeds to Liverpool canal before joining the group at Granary Wharf in Leeds later that evening.
Together, their efforts and a donation from Dacre Son & Hartley raised £4,000, enough to fund six week-long respite holidays for Yorkshire families facing serious illness, poverty, disability, or trauma.
Paul Wilson said: “It was an incredible challenge – 127 miles in one day definitely tested my limits – but knowing it would help local children and families kept me going. Apart from getting lost a couple of times which you wouldn’t think was possible on a canal, and one pretty big crash, it all went really well.
“My ride time was nine hours and 21 minutes, with a total time of just over 10 hours. I even managed to arrive in Leeds five miles ahead of the walkers – just enough time to enjoy two well-earned pints before they caught up! The Principle Trust does amazing work, and I’m proud to have played a part in supporting such a meaningful cause.”
The Principle Trust Children’s Charity provides free respite holidays for families across Yorkshire. Their 100 per cent donation policy ensures every penny raised directly funds family breaks and support services.
Andrew Davies, Trustee of The Principle Trust, said: “Paul’s determination and the wider team’s efforts are truly inspiring. Thanks to their hard work, six families will get the chance to relax, recharge, and make happy memories together – something many of them thought would never be possible.”
Supporters can still donate to the campaign at: https://localgiving.org/fundraising/Homes-to-Hope-Dacres-Bingley-to-Leeds-Charity-Trek
Dacre, Son & Hartley was founded more than 200 years ago and is Yorkshire’s largest independent estate agent with 18 offices across North and West Yorkshire.
