Last Updated on 10/02/2020 by steveperry
Through intense heat and torrential storms, Dr Mark Warren, aged 50 from Bredon near Tewkesbury, has raised over £2,000 by cycling 1173 miles for Event Mobility, a charity based locally to him in Pershore that loans TGA mobility scooters at nationwide events.
Event Mobility is a registered national charity which provides access to shows and events for disabled, elderly and mobility impaired people through the short-term loan of electric scooters and manual wheelchairs. With the availability of TGA mobility scooters, county shows and events such as Blenheim Horse Trials, The British Grand Prix and Glastonbury are more accessible to people with walking difficulties. TGA is a long-standing partner of Event Mobility and works closely with this charity to ensure a comprehensive range of scooters is available and suitable for a range of mobility needs.
Mark completed this epic challenge within his 11-day target arriving in John O’Groats at 5:30pm on 3rd August 2019. He cycled the length of Britain using the National Cycle Network maintained by the charity Sustrans. Departing Land’s End at 8am on 24th July, Mark cycled through Churchtown, Dulverton, Berkeley, Bridgnorth, Bury, Kings Meaburn, Abington, Strathyre, Aviemore, Lairg and concluding at John O’Groats.
He was supported by his family in a campervan and friends who rode with him at various stages whilst ensuring he had support at the end of each day. Mark had to endure huge extremes in weather during his challenge which included riding on the hottest day of the year in Cornwall through to intense rain and flooding in the north. He managed to battle against being ‘totally chilled through’ with loss of sensation in his hands and feet and the cumulative fatigue of riding over 100 miles per day back-to-back.
As he reached the famous signpost at John O’Groats, Mark was totally elated as he explains: “I can’t believe I have pedalled the whole length of Britain, it is going to take a while to sink in. I am tired, relieved but also ecstatic. My experience has been truly amazing and I’m sure the funds I have raised will help Event Mobility expand their services – their provision of TGA mobility scooters at events is so vital. Thank you to everyone who has supported me, especially my family, friends and TGA Mobility, without their assistance I would never had made it.”
Mark continues: “There have been so many highs and lows on the way – highs have been the unbelievable views I have encountered and reaching Scotland was a significant milestone. The north coast of Scotland is absolutely breathtaking. This really lifted me when I was so tired. Lows were the weather especially in England as it was so changeable, thank goodness when I reached Scotland the temperatures were more manageable. Climbing over Exmoor was brutally hot whereas the thunderstorms around Manchester totally drenched me. Several times I had to ride on roads that had turned to rivers with so many dangerous potholes full of water, you really had to have your wits about you. I had to deal with punctures and wheel changes and all the clouds of midges in Scotland that descend when you stop, add to this all the horsefly bites. Nevertheless, the experience has been so rewarding, I have met so many wonderful people of different nationalities and other individuals tackling their own end-to-end challenges. I will never forget these 11 days, so rewarding, both for myself and my chosen charity Event Mobility.”
Donations towards Mark’s challenge can still be placed at: https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/event-mobility/landsendcycle2018
Published: 13th August 2019