The Hendrick’s Gin Miles for Meals Expedition: Lands End to John O Groats on a Penny Farthing Bicycle
Neil Laughton and David Fox-Pitt MBE, the indefatigable founders of the UK Penny Farthing Club, and captains of the England and Scotland Penny Farthing Polo Clubs, are set to take on the toughest challenge of their penny farthing-riding lives.
They will cycle from Lands End to John O Groats – all 841 miles – on their 54-inch diameter wheeled Penny Farthing bicycles. Laid end to end, that’s the length of more than 53 million cucumbers!* The eccentric fundraising efforts, sponsored by equally unusual Hendrick’s Gin, are to raise money for Mary’s Meals, a global charity which sets up school feeding projects in some of the world’s poorest communities, feeding 1.4million children annually. By offering a meal in a place of learning Mary’s Meals not only provides nourishment but also attracts chronically poor children into the classroom where they receive an education that can be their ladder out of poverty.
As they cover the tough terrain, aiming for around 70 miles a day, the gents will gesticulate for donations to all they pass. At the end of each day’s ride, the tireless two will don their tophats and tailcoats, hop back on their mounts and cycle into one of 16 towns and city centres to continue their fundraising efforts. In the towns and cities they hope to meet the locals, provide demonstration rides and enjoy a well-earned Hendrick’s Gin and Tonic or two. Indeed, passers-by can enjoy a free Hendrick’s and Tonic too with Hendrick’s ‘cucumber exchange’. Neil and David will be handing out cucumber coupons which will be redeemable against a cool Hendrick’s Gin and Tonic at local participating bars.
When asked, a “penny for your thoughts?” David Fox-Pitt expounded… “Mary’s Meals is a phenomenal charity that Neil and I were determined to help. With Hendrick’s Gin’s generous sponsorship support we have been able to put our wheels into motion and take on this challenge to raise much-needed funds. Mary’s Meals began by feeding just 200 children in Malawi in 2002. Today they feed 1.4 million children annually. Just £15, the cost of a round of G&Ts, is enough to feed a child for a whole school year! Which is why we’re hoping people will text Penny15 to 70085 to pledge £15.”
Hendrick’s is a deliciously super premium gin, made with a number of unusual twists. To deliver a most curious and delightfully unique flavour, Hendrick’s combines a distinct blend of eleven botanicals, as well as the signature infusions of cucumber and rose petals, producing a wonderfully refreshing gin with a delightfully unique aroma. Hand crafted in Scotland in miniscule batches by William Grant & Sons, Hendrick’s is the only gin that uses a marriage of spirits from both a Carter-Head and Copper Pot Still, a combination that produces a divinely smooth gin that has both the required character and balance of subtle flavours. In 2018, the Hendrick’s Master Distiller, Lesley Gracie, was awarded ‘Gin Distiller of the Year’ by the World Gin Awards in recognition of her ground-breaking work. For further information, visit www.hendricksgin.com