205 miles, two bridges and a family connected to the sea

James Pinchbeck is preparing to take on a demanding 205-mile cycling challenge in support of the Sailors’ Children’s Society—a charity whose work has become even more meaningful as James has uncovered his own family’s deep connections with Grimsby’s maritime heritage.

On Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026, James will take part in the Bridge-to-Bridge Challenge, cycling from the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at Dartford to the Humber Bridge in Hull.

The route covers approximately 205 miles over two days, with riders completing around 100 miles on each day.

The challenge is raising money for the Sailors’ Children’s Society, a national charity based in Hull that James has supported for a number of years.

Supporting seafaring families in times of crisis

The Sailors’ Children’s Society provides financial, practical and emotional support to children and young people from seafaring families who are experiencing hardship or crisis.

The families it supports may be dealing with bereavement, illness, injury, unemployment, family breakdown or serious financial difficulty. In such circumstances, the Society can provide vital stability and reassurance at a time when families may feel particularly vulnerable.

Since the Bridge-to-Bridge Challenge began in 2023, the event has raised around £60,000. The riders taking part in 2026 hope to raise more than £40,000, taking the cumulative total raised by the event beyond £100,000.

A serious personal challenge

James is a keen and experienced cyclist and has completed many 100-mile rides. However, this challenge will involve something he has not attempted before: completing a century ride and then getting back on the bike the following morning to do it all again.

Covering more than 200 miles on consecutive days will require considerable preparation, resilience and determination.

Although James knows what it feels like to spend 100 miles in the saddle, the second day is likely to present an entirely different physical and mental test. It will mean managing fatigue, recovering overnight and finding the motivation to face another full day of cycling.

It is a challenge James is approaching with respect—but also with a strong sense of purpose.

A family connected with the sea

The work of the Sailors’ Children’s Society has become even more personal to James through his research into his family history.

That research has revealed extensive connections on both sides of his family with the sea, the fishing industry and the maritime life of Grimsby.

James’s great-great-grandfather, Andrew McUrich, served in the Coastguard, while Andrew’s brother, Colbert Barclay McUrich, worked as a sailmaker in Grimsby.

On the Pinchbeck side of the family, Charles Henry Pinchbeck and Isaac Pinchbeck were tug engineers. Walter Pinchbeck also worked as a tug engineman at Grimsby Fish Docks.

The family’s connection with Grimsby’s fishing industry continued through John Herbert McUrich, who served as a skipper aboard the Ross trawler Grimsby Town.

Two further members of the family, Edwin and Harry McUrich, were maritime engineers who lost their lives at sea during the Second World War.

Edwin died in February 1941 while serving aboard HMT Ormonde. The vessel, formerly the Grimsby trawler Ormonde GY162, had been converted for wartime minesweeping duties.

Harry lost his life in November 1944 while serving aboard HM LCT(R) 457, a rocket-equipped landing craft. The vessel struck a mine off Ostend and sank with the loss of much of its crew.

These discoveries have given James an even greater appreciation of the risks, sacrifices and uncertainty that have always been associated with earning a living at sea.

They have also highlighted the devastating effect that bereavement, illness, injury and financial hardship can have on the children and families of those working within seafaring communities.

Riding with a purpose

James has committed to raising at least £1,000 for the Sailors’ Children’s Society but hopes to exceed that target.

Every donation, whatever its size, will help the charity continue supporting children and young people from seafaring families when they need it most.

Support will also provide some welcome encouragement as the miles begin to accumulate—particularly when James faces the prospect of returning to the saddle for the second 100-mile day.

To support James’s Bridge-to-Bridge Challenge and help the Sailors’ Children’s Society continue its important work, please visit his fundraising page.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/james-pinchbeck-bridge-to-bridge-2026?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL