Pedalling for St Luke’s: Tugboats and Dolphins take on a 1,200 mile challenge

23rd March 2026

When three friends from Plymouth set off from Dover today, they’ll be carrying far more than their bikes and kit. They’ll be kicking off one of many challenges in their year‑long mission to raise £15,000 to help St Luke’s care for families across our community.

Mike Dunn, from Efford, is one of the trio taking on the challenge. Alongside Sam Cooper and Ashley Palmer, they will cycle from Calais to Budapest – 1,200 miles in just 12 days. The plan is simple and tough in equal measure: 100 miles a day, every day, whatever the weather throws at them.

This ride is one part of a full year of fundraising led by Tugboats and Dolphins, a Plymouth-based CIC that describes itself as ‘a group of mates’ who love raising money for charities across the South West. What began as a small group chat five years ago has grown into a committed team that has raised more than £15,000 for good causes each year for several years running.

Why St Luke’s?

Choosing St Luke’s as their charity of the year was a heartfelt decision. Several members of the group have seen first-hand the care St Luke’s provides when someone is dying, as well as the bereavement support that continues afterwards.

Mike explained: “Some of our team have been directly helped by St Luke’s, so it wasn’t a hard choice. The care they give to people across Plymouth is inspiring. Whether it’s the training to nurses, the house calls or caring for people in their final days, we just wanted to be a part of it and help the magic keep going round.”

The group know the difference they can make. Every £911 raised helps provide the equivalent of a full package of hospice care at home for a family – the clinical support, the medical team, the advice, and the comfort that helps people through the hardest days.

Reaching £15,000 at the end of the year could mean support for around 15 local families when they need it most.
“That’s the sort of thing we’ll hang onto when we’re cycling in the rain on day three,” Mike added. “It keeps you going.”

A year of big challenges

The cycle ride sits in the middle of a packed year of fundraising events including last night’s fight night where 24 first time boxers took to the ring, a ladies’ night, a 32 mile hike in Loch Lomond alongside lots of pub quizzes and game nights.

Training wise the trio have all taken different directions ahead of the big cycle. “We’ve gone for a blend of training this time,” Mike explained. “I’ve trained a lot, my friend Ash hasn’t trained at all and Sam’s trained for a fight night, so it’s a unique blend of no training to a lot of training and hopefully that’s going to balance out to an average fitness to get us through.”

The team behind the scenes

While the three cyclists will be pushing hard on the pedals, two quiet heroes will be travelling every mile alongside them. Sam’s parents, Liz and Rob, have stepped forward to drive the support van, carry equipment, pitch tents, cook meals, and even do the washing.

“The fact they’ve offered to drive to Dover, take our bikes, and support us every evening is unreal,” Mike said. “It’s something to look forward to at the end of each day and it really does make a difference. It keeps us moving.”

How to follow and support

Tugboats and Dolphins will be sharing updates throughout the challenge on their Instagram at @tugboatsanddolphins.

You call show them your support throughout their year of fundraising via their JustGiving page.

A message of thanks

To everyone who has already supported their events, donated, or cheered them on, Mike had one simple message:

“Thank you. If you get the chance, come and meet the St Luke’s team and see what they do. It might inspire you to do your own fundraiser one day.”

Follow their Instagram Tugboats & Dolphins JustGiving page

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