Press Releases

Uni students to use Unicycles on 1000 mile charity trip – University of Reading

Release Date : 17 August 2009

Two University of Reading students are embarking on a one-wheeled ride of a lifetime to raise money for charity.

Adam Cass and Maxwell Parfitt will be attempting to ride unicycles the 1000 miles from Land's End to John O' Groats, to benefit the charities Women's Aid and the Jubilee Sailing Trust.

Both Adam, aged 21, who graduated with a Politics & International Relations BA and Max, aged 24, who is studying towards a PhD in Computer Science and Robotics, are members of the Reading University Circus Skills Society. Setting off from Land's End on 5 September, they plan to cycle between 50 and 60 miles a day, reaching John O'Groats in under four weeks.

Max Parfitt said: "I have been unicycling since I was 10 years old and I think that using circus skills would be a fun way to raise money for two great causes. The trip is going to be very tough so we are at least hoping for good weather and not too many honking car horns."

Maxwell is riding to raise money for the Jubilee Sailing Trust, a registered charity that owns and operates the Lord Nelson and Tenacious, the only two tall ships in the world designed and built to enable people of all physical abilities to sail side-by-side as equals.

Adam Cass said: "I have been unicycling since October 2008 and look forward to the challenge. Women's Aid is an important charity, helping women and children who have been harmed by domestic violence. I hope that doing something as absurd and visible as this ride will prove the perfect thing to counteract the often invisible nature of domestic problems."

Together, they hope to raise £3000 for the respective charities. More information and the opportunity to sponsor them online at www.tour2009.co.uk

ENDS

Further information from James Barr, Press Officer at the University of Reading, on 0118 378 7115.

Notes to editors:

A photo of the two riders is available.

Maxwell Parfitt is available for interviews – any days next week and Adam is available for phone interviews.
Max: m.r.parfitt@reading.ac.uk