Milo’s epic adventure

Milo set out on a 1,000-mile solo cycle across Northern Europe. He shares why to took on this mighty challenge for The Yard.

1000 Miles for The Yard

At The Yard, we see extraordinary determination and resilience in the young people and families we support every day. So when we learned that Milo Trainor Moss, the son of our much-loved receptionist Katrina, was setting out on a 1,000-mile solo cycle to raise funds for The Yard, we were truly amazed!

Milo, 28, is not just any cyclist. Milo, an Edinburgh primary school teacher, lives with a brain injury and epilepsy and is, in many ways, the embodiment of The Yard.

After a sudden cardiac arrest in 2020, Milo now has a cardiac implant device. Yet, despite his health challenges, he spent four weeks cycling across northern Europe, covering 500 miles from Gothenburg to Hamburg and then another 500 miles through Amsterdam and Newcastle. Milo’s father, Richard, joined him on the final leg back to Edinburgh, and they arrived at The Yard together on Friday, August 2nd.

Milo initially smashed his fundraising target of £1,000—£1 for each mile of his journey. Thanks to the generosity of his supporters, including a £500 contribution from his dad’s employer, NatWest, through their Community Cashback Scheme, he has now raised over £1,700!

Milo shared, “I’ve been acutely aware of The Yard’s impact for many years, but since becoming a primary school teacher, the difference the charity makes has come into sharper focus. I saw the summer holiday as the ideal opportunity to use my cycle challenge to help The Yard do more of what they do best: supporting young people with disabilities and additional needs and their families. There’s no doubt that I had to consider my limitations and plan the route around my health challenges. Still, it was otherwise just a case of getting on with it and powering on. Arriving back at The Yard and being reminded of how amazing a place it is made it all worthwhile.”

Katrina, Milo’s mum, who has been the friendly face at The Yard’s reception in Edinburgh for the past 10 years, couldn’t be prouder.

“To say we are proud of Milo is a huge understatement. He is one in a million in so many ways. Milo was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of eight and lives with a hypoxic brain injury, but he doesn’t let that hold him back. He’s always pushing himself to do more. This latest adventure has been brilliant not just for The Yard but for Milo, too—he’s so resilient, always moving forward.

His cycle challenge has been brilliant for The Yard but also wonderful for Milo – we are exceptionally proud!”
– Katrina Trainor.

Celine Sinclair, Chief Executive of The Yard, echoed this pride: “We are incredibly grateful that Milo chose to embark on this epic endeavour for The Yard. As well as raising a significant sum for our charity, which will allow the young people we support to enjoy their own adventures, his journey will inspire countless others. Even in the face of adversity, we can always strive for more and make a difference to others. Milo, we thank you and applaud you!”

Milo’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have. His 1,000 miles for The Yard will go a long way in supporting our mission and inspiring others to pursue their own challenges, no matter the obstacles they may face.