£124,594 raised and counting for Lendwithcare – CARE International UK.
Those numbers still don’t feel real. And yet, behind every pound sits a story of generosity, of resilience, and of the incredible entrepreneurs whose lives are changed through microfinance. In November 2025, I had the privilege of seeing that impact first-hand on a journey I will never forget: an 8-day charity cycle from Vietnam to Cambodia.
Why I Joined Lendwithcare
Last year, I made the decision to support CARE International through Lendwithcare, a programme that offers small loans to entrepreneurs in low-income communities. These loans aren’t handouts, they’re stepping stones. Entrepreneurs repay them in small amounts, and the funds are then reinvested into other businesses, creating a ripple effect of opportunity and financial education and independence.
As a young businesswoman, the mission resonated with me deeply. The idea that a modest loan could help someone start a business, support their family, or transform their community felt both powerful and personal. Since joining, I’ve had the privilege of lending to entrepreneurs across Zambia, Malawi, Vietnam, Cambodia, Rwanda, and the Philippines, each one showing extraordinary ambition and strength.
The Journey: 500 km of Heat, Rain, Friendship and Purpose
I am not, by any stretch, a seasoned cyclist. When I arrived in Vietnam and was handed a bike alongside 30 strangers I’d never met, the scale of what I’d signed up for suddenly hit me.
Over eight intense days, we cycled 50 to 90 km per day, covering more than 500 km from Vietnam to Siem Reap in Cambodia. We battled 32°C heat, humidity so thick it felt like riding through a warm cloud, and on some days torrential rain, thunder and lightning as the monsoon season came to an end.
Every morning began at 5:30am, and every evening ended with sore muscles, new friendships, and a heart full of gratitude.
Some highlights I’ll never forget:
- Riding through remote villages where children ran out waving and cheering
- The humbling resilience of the entrepreneurs we met on our rest day, who shared how Lendwithcare loans helped them grow their businesses
- The camaraderie among cyclists who started as strangers but quickly became a team
- The reminder- every single kilometre - that this challenge meant something bigger than myself
What encouraged me to keep going?
What kept us all pushing through the tough moments was the knowledge that every pound raised goes directly toward supporting hardworking entrepreneurs. Their drive, creativity and determination fuelled ours.
I’m deeply grateful for the support I received from friends, family, and colleagues—and especially for Compare the Market’s match funding, which helped me surpass my personal fundraising target, reaching 127% and contributing meaningfully to the team’s incredible overall total.
Get Involved: Help Change a Life
If my journey taught me anything, it's this: You don’t need to be a pro cyclist, a huge donor, or an expert to make a lasting impact. You just need the willingness to start.
Lendwithcare allows anyone to support an entrepreneur with as little as a few pounds. A small loan can help someone:
- Open a shop
- Grow crops
- Invest in tools
- Support their children
- Build financial independence for generations
If you feel inspired, curious, or even just a little intrigued, I encourage you to learn more about the incredible work Lendwithcare does.
Because when we invest in people, we don’t just change their story, we change ours too.