Long-time fundraisers for the Down’s Syndrome Association (DSA), Richard ‘Dicky’ Barr and his trusty sidekick Tom Mouse have done it again. This time, they have successfully completed a cycle of over 30 miles on a penny farthing across London, crossing all 20 of the River Thames’ road bridges from Tower Bridge to Hampton Court Bridge.
The cycle was great fun, with a fair amount of time being taken up doing photoshoots for tourists. It was also tiring, with blustery winds of over 25mph, and no brakes on a penny farthing adding to the excitement. It was an amazing day, all in support of the Down’s Syndrome Association and Woolgrove Special Needs School
Watch how Dicky and Tom got on here:
Tom, Dicky’s son, had Down’s syndrome and was born with congenital heart disease, (AVSD and Fallot’s Tetralogy). Despite his challenges, Tom enjoyed life to the full and lit up the lives of those around him.
Tom tended to create a tidal wave of smiles and laughter wherever he went, as others were taken by his infectious joy. He had a real slap-stick sense of humour, going into fits of giggles if you were to drop something, or knock into something. We are incredibly proud of him.
Tom died at Great Ormond Street Hospital in July 2004 and ever since, Dicky has dedicated much of his spare time to fundraising for the Down’s Syndrome Association and for Tom’s old school, Woolgrove School Special Needs Academy in Letchworth Garden City.
Each year I take on a different challenge to raise funds for the two charities who helped us so much. I guess too there may be something therapeutic for me in the charity adventures; when I was about to embark upon my first charity challenge a friend said he was sure that Tom would be riding pillion with me. This sentiment is comforting and has always rested with me. There are two of us on the challenges I undertake.
Dicky has undertaken a different challenge each year for the past 17 years. He has raised more than £60,000 over that time for the charities. He has ridden across India on a motorcycle; climbed Mt Kilimanjaro; trekked the Peruvian Inca Trail and to Everest Base Camp; cycled across Vietnam and Cambodia; dog sled over 250km in the Arctic Circle; cycled across Costa Rica; motorcycled the length of the UK in under 16 hours; cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats; ridden a motorcycle over 10,000 miles from London to Mount Everest; rode a bicycle over 100 miles linking up children’s hospitals in and around London; cycled 215 miles (346km) in under 24 hours, including cycling to the highest points in five counties of England; and on a single day in May 2023, cycled a penny farthing across London crossing all 20 of the River Thames’ road bridges a total distance of over 30 miles.
In recent years charity challenges have seen Dicky with a toy mouse at his side. And so followed ‘You Can Do It Tom Mouse!’ – the story of a young adventurous mouse following in his grandfather’s footsteps, venturing around the world.
The story is about knowing that with support from family and friends, you can take on any challenge and succeed. I have taken Tom Mouse into schools, to help inspire children to take on challenges and explore the world, as well as helping them to create, write and tell their stories. The imagination and creativity of the children is fantastic.
Following on from the success of the first book, a second book was launched in late 2021, by Dicky Barr and illustrator Joanna Scott, ‘Tom Mouse And The North Pole Mystery!’. It has a Christmas theme and the message remains one of succeeding through help from family and friends. Dicky and Joanna are now working together on the next Tom Mouse book, due for publication in 2024.
Dicky is also the founder of Dads Cry Too (DC2), a bereavement support service at Keech Hospice Care in Luton. The purpose of DC2 is to help dads on their individual journey towards adjusting and better managing their feelings following the loss of their child. It has been set up along with other dads who have also lost a child.
He is also a ‘Compassionate Neighbour’ volunteer with Garden House Hospice Care, in Letchworth Garden City; providing companionship and support to an individual community member.
Dicky was a London 2012 Olympics torchbearer and also appeared on the Independent’s Happy List 2019. Dicky was a finalist in the Comet Community Awards 2019, receiving a lifetime achievement certificate.
To find out more about the books or make a donation, go to www.tommouse.co.uk
We are incredibly thankful to Dicky and Tom Mouse for taking on these challenges for the DSA!