Our Ambassador, actor Charles Dale, has completed his epic month-long fundraising motorcycle ride around England and Wales, returning to a hero’s welcome in his hometown of Tenby.
Charles set out on his journey of hope on Monday 19th May, with one aim in mind: to raise awareness of brain tumours and brain trauma.
He was inspired to take on the challenge after witnessing the devastation that brain tumours have had on various close friends, including Coronation Street star and Brain Tumour Research Patron Bill Tarmey, whose son Carl died of a brain tumour; writer, poet and musician Benjamin Zephaniah, lost to a brain tumour in 2023; and fellow actor and Ambassador Craig Russell, who underwent surgery to remove a meningioma two years ago.
When Charles's best friend, Shaun Griffiths (below left), tragically died due to a bleed on the brain after slipping on the stairs, aged just 63, it was the final motivation he needed to do something to make a difference to the lives of those affected by brain trauma.
“Seeing the devastating impact brain tumours and brain injuries have had on my friends’ lives has been awful,” said Charles. And so, ‘Shaun’s TT 100’ was born, with motorcyclist enthusiast Charles setting out on his mission to travel up, down and cross-country raising awareness of brain trauma and brain tumours, while also generating vital funding for Brain Tumour Research and the brain injury association Headway.
Charles spent a total of 22 days on the road, during which he dropped in at 103 motorbiking cafés, using any and every opportunity to engage with fellow bikers and share our vision: to find a cure for all types of brain tumours.
“This motorbike challenge is all about people and I have been honoured to meet the most wonderful human beings; their generosity, emotional stories and support is breathtaking,” said Charles. “As an avid biker, there is nothing quite like the biking community for its welcome and care.”
He gave a special mention to Project Eighty Three in Newquay, where our Ambassador Craig Russell (below left with Charles) joined him. Describing it as a place he’d like “a nice ride away”, Charles said: “It’s a wonderful mixture of motorcycle and, kind of, surf dude, beach bum thing – which is basically what I am: a boy who grew up on beaches and loves motorcycles. It’s got such a lovely feel, it’s got such a lovely mix of people, and it’s a thoroughly lovely place to be.”
In the Jolly Roger in Newton Abbey, a chance meeting with Sarah Fox (below left), co-founder of competition website Competition Fox, resulted in an incredible additional £1000 in the fundraising pot. The Devonshire businessowner was moved to donate after hearing about the motivation behind Charles’s epic challenge.
At the other end of the country, in Sunderland, Charles popped in on TV chef and Hairy Biker Si King’s café, PROPA! Si (above right) made a donation of more than £200 to our cause, an act of generosity matched by countless others along the route.
Other notable stop-offs included Charles’s local eatery in Tenby, The Dennis Café, where Charles started and ended his journey, describing it as “one of my favourite places in the world”.
Amongst multiple others, Charles also gave shout-outs to the Chain & Sprocket Café in Ruthin, Poulson Custom Creatives in Maldon, Dom’s Bike Stop in Leominster, Caffeine and Machine on the way to Stratford, Super Sausage Café in Towcester, Strawberry Fields Café in York, and The Garage Bar and Grille in Burnhope. Although, he added, laughing: “I couldn’t possibly have eaten in every café – I wouldn’t have been able to get back on the bike!”
Alongside the incredible donation pot, which now stands at more than £7,500 with Gift Aid, Charles accelerated his awareness-raising mission, with press coverage every day of the ride and more than 150,000 views on his social media platforms.
Along the journey he was also joined by renowned motorcycling magazine Motorcycle News (MCN), which dedicated a double-page spread to Charles’s challenge, sent out to its 500,000-plus subscribers.
And content creator Man Cave Moto rode out to join Charles on a leg of his route, uploading the occasion to his YouTube channel.
Charles also gave five rousing radio interviews, including four across the BBC network, taking our plea to the national stage.
Covering 3,200 miles in total, on completing the challenge Charles declared: “My bike is very much in need of a service!”, but, throughout, the weather was on his side: “I was hugely lucky; I only got wet twice. There were two days that were a bit murky, including one in Bristol that was foul and the ridiculous crosswinds coming across Lincolnshire.”
Describing memorable moments, Charles said: “Getting bitten by a dog was quite amusing. Luckily, I had a pair of aramid trousers on, which help you slide across the road if you come off your motorbike.” Seemingly protective against sharp teeth, too!
His trousers saved the day again soon after: “About an hour later I fell off my bike at very, very low speed. I went down à la Jayne Torvill, very graceful, at a set of traffic lights. But it’s a bit like riding a horse: if you haven’t fallen off, you’re not a proper motorcyclist.”
Charles extended his gratitude to all those people he met along the way who made his journey so memorable. “Thank you for all the wonderful support you’ve been giving me throughout this ride – every mile brought a smile,” he said, before adding reflectively: “I have seen the most stunning scenery that the UK has to offer. It’s like Shaun is with me, whispering in my ear, ‘Mate, let me show you some of the most beautiful places on the road.’”
With his Givestar page still open, you can continue to support Charles in his challenge until the end of August, when his final fundraising total will be announced at a celebratory event at the famous Bike Shed, London, attended by biking enthusiasts, supporters and plenty of famous faces too. Look out for more details soon!
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