The Guild’s very own membership secretary Phil Case has teamed up with his FW colleague Phil Clarke to take on a charity cycle challenge this Sunday.
Two Farmers Weekly journalists are swapping their keyboards for Lycra this weekend as they saddle up for a 55-mile charity bike ride from London to Brighton – dressed as 1990s pop icons Right Said Fred.
News editor Phil Clarke and chief reporter Phil Case are taking on the challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK – and in true tongue-in-cheek style, they’ve shaved their heads to channel the famous bald brothers behind I’m Too Sexy.
“The similarity has been mentioned before,” said Mr Case. “So we thought, why not embrace it and have a bit of fun – while raising money for a brilliant cause at the same time?”
Inspired by the farming community’s own fundraising spirit, the pair said they wanted to follow in the footsteps of those they report on.
“In our work at Farmers Weekly, we see so many farmers doing extraordinary things to raise money for good causes,” added Mr Case. “We just thought – it’s our turn.”
For Mr Clarke, the ride has a deeply personal meaning.
“I’ve lost several close friends and family members to cancer in the past five years – and now my dear wife is undergoing treatment too,” he said.
“The outlook for us is positive, but it’s a cruel disease that takes far too many, far too soon.
“Cancer Research UK does fantastic work developing treatments and improving survival rates. It’s a charity very dear to my heart.”
The London to Brighton ride takes place on Sunday 14 September, with thousands expected to take part.
The Farmers Weekly duo are hoping to raise as much as possible for Cancer Research UK, which funds over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses to help prevent, diagnose and treat more than 200 types of cancer.
“We all know people who’ve suffered from cancer – some who’ve paid the ultimate price,” they said. “If you’re able to donate anything, big or small, it would mean the world.
“Don’t hold back. We’re not!”
Sponsor the team
The pair have already topped their £1,000 fundraising target. “We have been absolutely blown away by the generosity of family, friends, colleagues and contacts in the farming industry, and thank them all,” they said.
If you’d like to support Phil and Phil on their mission to beat cancer (and survive Lycra), you can donate via their JustGiving page: philip clarke is fundraising for Cancer Research UK.
