Hilly Helmet marks 10 years with £50,000 charity milestone

More than £50,000 has been raised for a brain tumour charity through the Hilly Helmet running event over the past decade. 

The milestone was reached as 130 runners took part in the tenth event on Wednesday 5th August, which could be the final Hilly Helmet. 

The event has raised the money for Brain Tumour Support since it began 10 years ago, with the total enough to keep the charity’s national helpline running for more than three years. 

The Hilly Helmet was set up by Dilton Marsh resident Robin-Mark Schols, inspired by his recovery from brain surgery. After an operation left him without part of his skull, he was required to wear a safety helmet wherever he went, including on his regular runs. 

Robin-Mark said, “I first had the idea for the event as a fundraiser and as a get together to thank all those who supported me while I was going through a tough time, to have a bit of fun running while raising money for the charity. It wasn’t until afterwards when people made it clear they’d like to do it again (and again) that it became a must-do run event on the local running calendar.” 

For the tenth event, runners wore a variety of creative headgear, including disco ball helmets, Viking helmets and a crocheted peacock, for the four-mile run which began at Leighton Recreation Centre. 

Westbury runner Jan Mojsa won a prize for the best helmet with her oversized circus tent creation. 

Last Hilly Helmet?

Robin-Mark has now announced that he is pausing the event while he considers its future, meaning this could be the last Hilly Helmet. 

“I’d like to thank everyone who took part, not only this year but to all our runners over the 10 years who have helped make it the event it has become,” he said. “The way so many have entered into the spirit of creating helmets to run in and experience the challenge I faced for almost a year has been quite something to see.” 

Nine runners who took part in the tenth event have competed every year since it began. 

The runners, along with longstanding volunteers, event partners and photographers, were presented with special plates to recognise their contribution to the Hilly Helmet. 

Robin-Mark was also surprised with a special plate to mark the achievement of running the event for a decade. 

He said he will miss the Hilly Helmet next year if the event does not return. 

“I absolutely love putting it on and the reward has been how we can all do something we love doing whilst also helping a cause close to me,” he said. “I also love the goodwill that we have received from so many people, the runners, the event backers, the volunteers, so many people have been so keen to help and it has created such a feel-good evening that I’ll definitely miss next year.” 

Robin-Mark described the last 10 years as “amazing” and said he “can’t thank everyone enough.”