James’s Ride for Macmillan Cancer Support
An awareness film about courage, loss and giving back.
The Brief
When my friend James Gray told me he was taking on a 200km off-road cycling challenge from Brighton to Ampthill in memory of his dad, I knew it was a story that deserved to be told.
He wasn’t looking for publicity — he wanted to raise awareness, honour his father’s memory, and inspire donations to Macmillan Cancer Support, who had helped his family and so many others through the hardest times.
The goal of the film was simple: help people understand why he was doing it — before the ride even began.
The Challenge
We weren’t filming the challenge itself — we were creating something that would make people care enough to support it.
That meant the story had to be emotional, authentic and personal — not polished charity messaging.
We needed to capture James’s voice, his story, and the deeper motivation behind it, without drifting into sentimentality or self-promotion. The balance between honesty and inspiration was key.
The Approach
We filmed a talking-head interview with James at home — a quiet, reflective space where he could talk openly about his dad, his experience with Macmillan, and what the ride meant to him.
I overlaid that story with cinematic footage of James cycling sections of the route — wet roads, woodland trails, details of grit and motion — so the audience could feel the effort and symbolism of what he was about to do.
The pacing was slow, deliberate and emotional — matching his tone, not forcing energy where there wasn’t any.
The final edit blended natural sound, subtle grading and a restrained score to let his words carry the film.
Watch James’ Story now…
The Result
The film reached hundreds of viewers before the challenge weekend, helping James raise an incredible £7,198 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
It gave people a reason to connect — not just to donate, but to share the story and reflect on their own experiences with cancer and resilience.
“This was for Dad — and for everyone who’s had to fight something bigger than themselves.” — James Gray
30 Second Film: Social Cutdown
This 30-second edit was produced for social platforms to maximise reach and engagement in the lead-up to James’s fundraising challenge.