Sussex charities set to benefit from 24 hour Penny Farthing Challenge

Two penny farthing enthusiasts, Mark Newman and Rolf Woodward, are planning to ride for 24 hours in September to raise money for the Carpenter Box Foundation to support two leading Sussex charities. 

Mark and Rolf from The Penny Farthing Club, a community of racers and lovers of the famous Victorian era bicycles who provide experience in London Brighton and Bath, will attempt the unique challenge around Hove Lagoon from 18:00 on 7th September to raise money for The Russell Martin Foundation (RMF) and Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. 

Being based at Hove Lagoon with the support Lagoon Water Sports, the 24 hour ride with hourly 5 minute comforts break will consist of riding a Penny Farthing around Hove Lagoon with regular trips out along Brighton & Hove seafront. It will start at 18:00 on 7th September where Mark and Rolf will be supported by various people throughout the night and into the next day until 18:00 on the 8th September. During the day of the 8th there will also be a couple of experienced club members on hand and for a donation to the charity pot, those that wish can get to have a go on a Penny Farthing and experience the high life! 

Mark has taken part in several expeditions and challenges across the globe to raise money for charity including paddleboarding around Easter Island and 500 miles in the Peruvian Amazon jungle, kayaking across Scotland and cycling a Penny Farthing across the UK & NI. However, this will be the first time he has taken on a 24-hour challenge. 

The idea for the challenge came after Mark saw various 24-hour challenges and thought doing one on a Penny Farthing would be a good challenge. Many years ago his daughter received support from a machine donated by Rockinghorse, a children’s charity which raises money to provide life-saving medical equipment for children and after hearing about the work of RMF, which uses football to change the lives of people across Sussex. 

He is hoping to raise circa £5,000  for the charities through personal and corporate donations. 

Said Mark: “I’ve done lots of challenging expeditions before for charity, but after seeing other people take part in a variety of 24-hour challenges I thought I’d give it a go on a Penny Farthing. Why not?

“It’s going to be tough but I’m looking forward to it. Most importantly though, this is the chance to something amazing to support two wonderful local charities who do such great work across Sussex. I know money is tight for lots of people right now but anything we raise will make a real difference.” 

Russell Martin, Founder, Russell Martin Foundation, said: “We are so grateful that Mark & Rolf have decided to take on this challenge and raise money for RMF and Rockinghorse. The money raised will make a huge difference to the work we do to change lives across Sussex. He is talking on a tough challenge so everyone at RMF wishes him all the best.”

Donna Holland, CEO of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity said “This is a brilliant challenge and we can’t thank Mark & Rolf enough for supporting Rockinghorse Children’s Charity whilst they do it. This support will go towards our new cancer support service at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton – supporting children and their families facing cancer, all over Sussex. Good luck and thank you for your incredible support”

Mark &Rolf will cycle the specially designed circuit around Hove Lagoon and Hove seafront from 18:00 on Thursday 7th September till 18:00 on Friday 8th September 

To find out more and donate go to https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/penny-farthing-23