Music legend Robin Millar pedals to raise pounds for Scope

Legendary music producer and Scope chair Robin Millar will complete his epic 407- mile virtual cycling challenge this Friday (26 February). He has raised over £40,000 for the disability equality charity Scope so far. Robin, 69, who has 44 No.1 hits under his belt and was registered blind at 16, was inspired to create Scope’s Lockdown Legends challenge whilst he was shielding.

Robin is virtually cycling from Scope’s northern-most shop in Hexham, Northumberland to the Dover shop in Kent. He has seen a host of famous supporters cheering him on including musicians Sade, Laura Marling and Steve Harley from Cockney Rebel.

Internationally renowned music producer, businessman and mentor, Robin, is 70 this year. Last October had major surgery involving organ removal after serious illness. He also had an accident and is still undergoing therapy to regain mobility and strength.  

Fundraising at a crucial time

Lockdown has been devastating for Scope, which is seeing losses of approximately £1.2 million per month with its charity shops closed and fundraising events cancelled. This is at a time when disabled people and their families are the hardest hit by Coronavirus and need Scope’s support more than ever.

Scope’s helpline has been a lifeline, responding to over 25,000 calls in 2020 from disabled people struggling with isolation, mental health problems, money worries and employment issues because of the pandemic.

Scope research shows

• Almost 3 in 5 (57%) disabled people who live alone haven’t seen anyone outside their support bubble since the pandemic began, and 1 in 5 (20%) haven’t even seen their support bubble.[1]
• More than a quarter (28%) of disabled people said their finances have worsened during the pandemic.[2]
• Right now, in the third national lockdown, millions of disabled people are once again isolated and shielding, and with schools closed, families of disabled children are being pushed even further to breaking point without their usual support network to rely on.   

Robin Millar, Chair of disability equality charity Scope says: 

 “I’m incredibly proud to have raised over £40,000 for Scope at this vital time when many disabled people are shielding and need more support from the charity. This money means 4,000 disabled people will be able to benefit from Scope’s expert helpline during this difficult time.

“Since the pandemic began, I have become acutely aware of the negative impact the pandemic has had on the UK’s 14 million disabled people and how many of us feel we’ve been forgotten. For many reasons, we have been amongst the hardest hit by Coronavirus.

“Shockingly, almost two-thirds of all those who have died of Coronavirus were disabled people. I had to read that fact from the Office for National Statistics several times. That’s over 1,000 disabled people dying every day on the worst of days. This is what has got me on my bike.  

“I would like to thank the public for their incredible support and also thank my fellow Lockdown Legends who set themselves some of the most creative fundraising challenges I have ever seen.” 

Words from Robin’s celebrity supporters

 “Robin, you’re still amazing us after all these years. Still fearless. True champ. Thank you”  Sade

 “Best of luck Robin - what a wonderful thing to do.”  Laura Marling 

“With you all the way, Robin. And some…” Steve Harley from Cockney Rebel 

Robin created the Lockdown Legends challenge helping to raise funds for Scope and invited the public to join in and do something fun in February. Fundraisers took this message on board and the charity is seeing a book being written, illustrated and published in a month. A nimble-fingered fundraiser is folding 100 origami figures and a 5-year old has been creating a new piece of craftwork each day.