Shopmobility race raises money for Mayor’s charity

The Mayor and Mayoress Surinder and Cecile Biant at the Shopmobility scooter race with Jonathan Hindle, Luke Settle, Christine Buckley and Adam Clegg

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

A Shopmobility scooter race through Rochdale’s shopping streets earlier today (6 October) has raised over £100 for the Mayor’s charity appeal.

Adam Clegg and Luke Settle from Rochdale Borough Council took on Jonathan Hindle and Christine Buckley from Rochdale Development Agency during their lunch break.

The teams had to search 12 independent local shops for hidden letters and bring them back to the River Street base and spell out ‘Shopmobility’.

The Mayor and Mayoress Surinder and Cecile Biant attended and witnessed a dramatic start when one of the council competitors left the handbrake on his scooter, allowing the RDA to take an early lead.

A superior strategy meant Luke was neck-and-neck with Christine on the return to the shop. A few minutes later, in another race changing twist, Christine found she had missed two letters and had to jump back on her scooter to collect them. Shortly after Jonathan returned, meaning it was an anxious wait to see whether Adam or Christine would return first.

Five minutes later, Adam appeared carrying all his letters and sealing the win for the council.

Michelle Hollinrake from Shopmobility said: “Thanks to all who took part and especially to the independent retailers who hid letters in their shops. It was a fun and dramatic race and I’m really pleased that we could help raise money for the Mayor’s Charity with this scooter race.”

The independent retailers visited were: Denis Hope, Drake Street News, One2One Mobile, Greg Couzens, DCM Menswear, The Health Food Centre, Chantilly, Browsers Beds, Russell’s Café, The Flower Studio, Steps Shoes and Aladdin’s Cave.