Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Zara Tindall's husband Mike explains heartbreaking story behind his latest adventure

The Queen's granddaughter married Mike in 2011

mike zara wimbledon
Diane Shipley
Senior Online Writer
Share this:

 Mike Tindall began a new fundraising challenge this weekend, for a cause that's very close to home. The down-to-earth royal shared a photo to his Instagram Stories on Sunday morning which showed him and a small group of friends on their bikes. Mike captioned the picture: "And we are off #RaidLocal @cureparkinsonstrust."

The dad-of-two is taking part in the ambitious Raid Local cycle ride in aid of the charity Cure Parkinson's Trust, of which he is Patron. The challenge, which had to be adapted from a large group event due to the pandemic, will see over 100 cyclists around the world take on a jaw-dropping 3700m ascent that covers 137km.

READ: Mike Tindall reveals sweet nickname for wife Zara

WATCH: Mike Tindall took part in the ambitious Raid Local cycle ride in aid of the charity Cure Parkinson's Trust

In the afternoon, Mike posted a video updating his followers on his progress. He said: "So we've just stopped, we are 85 km in, I believe we are somewhere around halfway of climbing. So hopefully we've now got to decide what we do, we've done the loop so we've got to decide whether we do the loop again or climb some hills or do something else…

MORE: Mike Tindall's daughter Lena hilariously interrupts podcast

"Hope everyone is doing well… Hope everyone who's taking part is having fun. We are trying to keep it all socially distanced, and we've just stopped to refuel and then on the road again. Please donate if you can..." In a video posted to his Instagram grid on Saturday, the star discussed his dad's diagnosis and explained more about why the fundraising effort was so important to him personally.

mike tindall celebrates

Mike celebrated the end of the challenge with a cold beer

Mike said: "I don't want to see another son or daughter have to go through what I've had to go through with my dad. My dad has had Parkinson's for 20 years and I've watched a strong purposeful role model slowly be eaten away by this disease. I probably didn't give it enough respect when he told me he had it… I seriously regret that now."

Make sure you never miss a ROYAL story! Sign up to our newsletter to get all of our celebrity, royal and lifestyle news delivered directly to your inbox.

More Royalty

See more