World in a Day
1397. Mark Beaumont
Mark Beaumont, from Edinburgh, is a Scottish endurance cyclist who created the ‘World in A Day’ where people cycle around the world in one day, so far raising £230,000 for NHS Charities.
Mark holds the world record for having cycled around the world in 2017, completing 18,000 miles in 79 days – approximately 240 miles a day. During lockdown, Mark wanted to inspire others to join him in recreating his world record feat indoors, bringing people together, keeping active whilst staying at home, and fundraising in aid of NHS Charities by encouraging participants to donate £1 for every mile they covered by exercise bike, rowing machine or running on a treadmill.
In a personal letter to Mark, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I want to congratulate you on your astounding “World in A Day” challenge and the fantastic amounts that you, and everyone involved, have raised to support NHS Charities.
“At a time when the necessary restrictions to defeat Coronavirus prevented many of the great sporting activities we all love, you rallied Britain’s cyclists to don their lycra and simulate a global circumnavigation from their very own homes.
“Britain has an illustrious history of using sport to fundraise for great causes and your ingenuity has continued this tradition, clocking up the miles and piling on the pounds to support the amazing men and women working in our wonderful NHS.”
Mark said:
“It is a real surprise to receive a Points of Light Award – and a lovely recognition for the community of fundraisers who joined me over the month of ‘World in a Day’ – I will share this recognition with them and their hard work to raise so much for NHS Charities Together. Apart from the money raised, the part that I am most proud of is the camaraderie, the struggles and achievements from everyone who took part. This was an epic challenge by anyone’s standards and we had people from aged 11 to 70 across the UK taking part and creating positive memories during a very worrying time.”