Man completes epic 24-hour tricycle challenge for autism charity Prior’s Court

A charity worker has completed an epic 24-hour fundraising challenge.

Mark Bailey, director of operations at autism charity Prior’s Court, trained for three months to cycle for 24 hours around a 0.6km track to raise money for the site’s Performing Arts Centre appeal.

And he has now completed 330 laps — around 120 miles in total.

Mr Bailey set forth on his tricycle at 4pm on Wednesday, March 6 and finished the same time the following day.

After finishing the challenge, he said: “I remain exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally. I’m shattered.

“But I’m also so, so pleased to have completed this challenge to raise money for the Performing Arts Centre.”

Mr Bailey also overcame some mini-tasks along the way, including a quiz — eating a hot chilli whenever he got a question wrong — playing charades, a no-hands portrait painting task and singing ‘Let It Go’ from Frozen while dressed as Elsa with the Prior’s Court nights team.

His trike also had a second seat, allowing many staff and young people to get involved in the event.

Mr Bailey’s challenge concluded with a grandstand finish, with dozens of staff and pupils cheering him on his last lap of the track.

He continued: “Young people here at Prior’s Court, all autistic people, have the same rights as anyone else to be empowered to access the transformative powers of the performing arts, and that is what the centre is all about.

“It is that thought which kept me going all through the 24 hours.

“Thank you to everyone who came out to support me, who helped organise the event and who has donated. It makes the world of difference.”

Mr Bailey has so far raised more than £1,700.

Donations are still being taken. Please visit www.justgiving.com/page/onyourmarks to support his fundraiser.