MORE than £12,500 has been raised by members of the Farnham community as they competed in the ‘robbiesrevs Everest Spinathon’ challenge, climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest.

The spinathon, which took place at Breathe Studios in Cambridge Place, was the latest event in the robbiesrally series, a charity dedicated to raising money for Southampton Hospital, for the care and rehabilitation of young children diagnosed with brain tumours.

Robbiesrally was set up by Mark Keville. Five years after his wife, Kate, died of breast cancer, Mark lost his 10-year-old son, Robbie, to a brain tumour.

Robbie was just six when he lost his mother to breast cancer, it was then he decided to become a doctor. According to those that knew him possessed of a good mind, there was no doubt that Robbie had the ability to realise his ambition one day.

However, aged eight, he himself was diagnosed with cancer – a malignant brain tumour. In 2015, aged nine, he started his own charity – robbiesrally.

Family, friends and others have since organised many events to support the charity, which has raised more than £200,000 through community fundraising, since kicking off.

Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he died aged 10 in February 2016. During his life Robbie made many great friends and admirers, and was a very popular student at his school, Edgeborough.

Now robbiesrehab – the paediatric outpatient rehabilitation service for children with brain tumours based at Southampton, is due to open this spring. New therapists will be starting work shortly.

Justin Opie, who organised the spinathon alongside Steve Baird, Adrian de Vere Green and Ian Lumband, all friends of Mark, said: “The atmosphere was supercharged, totally electric. Seventy lycra clad locals split into nine teams, each span their way up the equivalent of Mount Everest.

“Riding a cumulative 82 hours, everybody climbed over 80,000m, 20 per cent of the way to the moon. It was high energy, highly sweaty, extremely challenging but fantastic fun too.

“A genuine mix of seasoned cyclists and spinners, with many who had never even sat on one, but all with one goal, reaching the summit we promised our sponsors we would.

“It had to be the most fun we’ve all had while putting up with a lot of pain. Each team rode a total of between nine and 10 hours in the saddle.”

Making the day even more highly charged, they had performance prizes which were very seriously contended.

The fastest team to reach the target was ‘The Nutcase Ensemble’ captained by Charlie Mayer, with Jo Chisholm as their star rider putting in a total of almost 2000m climbing over five legs of 20 minutes.

Top overall rider, who rode the longest and furthest, was Ed Hammond (120 minutes, 75km), Jo Chisolm (100 minutes, 58km) and Sophie Evans (100 minutes, 36km).

The best 20 minute segment prize was won by Rob Chisholm, Kate Shaw and Theo Fawcett.

“Over £12,500 has been raised so far, and it’s still rising. We’ve been blown away by everyone’s generosity and support,” added Justin.

“The event would never have happened at all without the support, commitment and fundraising excellence of everyone involved. A genuine community result. Special thanks also to David Edwards who allowed us to host the event at the fantastic Breathe Studio.”

The next events in the robbiesrally series are robbiesreal

lylongride (Jo Evans’ 24-hour spin taking place on May 12/13), and robbiesregion, where staff from the charity will be running 10 marathons in 10 days around the Wessex shared-care hospitals in late August this year.

The team will be welcoming friends and celebrities on foot and on bikes en route. For more information go to www.robbiesrally.com, or to help see www.justgiving.com/fundraising/robbiesrevs.