The Knights In White Lycra is a Japan-based fundraising volunteer group of people from diverse backgrounds, who participate in sporting and social events, and give marginalized children living in care, better prospects of a successful outcome in adult life. Together with our sponsors, participants, and donors, we have (as at June 3rd 2025) raised Y182,850,000 since our humble beginnings in 2013.
Sponsors:
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We volunteer for charity events of all kinds; cycling, running, walking, even pub quizzes! People do the sport they love (or try a new one!), and arm kids from challenged backgrounds with skills to enhance their chances of a successful outcome in adult life.
Who are we and what do we do? Click HERE to watch our 2024 annual cycle ride (4 mins), to feel the experiences of those who took part. And also, a short documentary of a rider who started cycling to take part. Click HERE to watch our 'Highway to Health' hero and be truly inspired!
What's New?
44 participants from 9 countries recently cycled more than 400kms around the Noto peninsula, enjoying the breathtaking scenery, and visited Wajima after last year's devastating earthquake. We treated Wajima's kids with yummy snacks from around the world and showed our support for the town's recovery. A staggering Y16,450,000 was raised from this year's ride and associated events alone!
General Information:
* The Knights in White Lycra (KIWL) is merely a collective name for a group of volunteers who raise funds by participating in events organized with its partnering charity. They participate entirely at their own risk.
* KIWL does not accept donations. KIWL is not a legal entity, has no employees, is not profit making, and is not a registered charity. KIWL is not a licensed tour operator.
A not-for-profit organization that creates life-changing outdoor programs for abused, neglected, and orphaned children in Japan, supporting their growth into happy and successful young adults. Through summer and winter multi-day camps and one-day activities, children are encouraged to overcome their fears, to find self-confidence, and discover the skills to work happily in a team environment, both as a member and leader. Skills needed for their lives beyond care.
Raised for disaster recover relief and disadvantaged children forced to live in institutional care.
KIWL Volunteers celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023, but the Knights shall ride on for the kids!
Our 'get fit & give back' ethos & employees participating for good causes attracts much corporate support.
Our participants come from far and wide; Europe, Asia, Australasia, & the Americas.
Collectively our events have attracted well over 1,000 participants.
George Leaning
Tony Moore
Andrew Edsall
Joining KIWL has been a life-changing experience. I've made lifelong friends and seen Japan from a totally new perspective, all while helping out an amazing charity. You don't need to be a professional cyclist (or have even ridden a bike, in my case!) to join this amazing community. If you have the desire to get fit and give back, KIWL is the group for you.
As far as charity golf days are concerned the KIWL event was up there with the best! A fantastic course, lovely company (who tolerated my awful golf!), and some fantastic prizes! Despite my unacceptable score, I had a superb day with golfers of all abilities and above all, the funds raised will be a great benefit to kids in care. Massive thank you to KIWL golf day organizer, Billy Ramsay. Cannot wait for the next one!
I have participated in the Go Go Run since 2019. I found out through a friend, and organizer, Roger Berman, a genuine caring person and so is the event which is welcoming, heartwarming, and fun. The highlight is meeting the kids at the children’s home (before COVID) where you can have fun with them. Do what you love (running/walking) and can help others at the same time, such an amazing thing no matter how big or small.
2019年から参加しています。友人でありGoGoランの創立者でもあるロジャーを通じてこのイベントを知りました。ロジャーは本当に他人への思いやりに溢れていてイベントも人柄がよく出ています。参加者誰もが心地よく、暖かい気持ちになり、そして楽しいイベントです。ハイライトはランの最後に子供たちの施設へお邪魔して子供達と遊んだり様子を少しだけ知ることができること(コロナ前）。自分の好きなこと（今回はランやウォーキング）を通じてしかも誰かのためにもなる。こんな素晴らしいことはないと思っています。
Besides cycling, I also enjoyed KIWL's annual Futsal tournament. It is great knowing donations are making a difference for kids with cerebral palsy who want to play football! Every team had at least one female player and one with CP. The tournament was organized beautifully. Players followed the “10 rules of chivalry”, as we know KIWL always does! The competition was fierce but we were lucky enough to emerge winners.
