Rotherham businessman to take on 'incredibly tough' motorsport rally for 'fantastic' homelessness charity
The Dakar Rally two-week rally will see competitors cover approximately 8,390 kilometres across challenging desert terrain, mountains and remote wilderness.
The director of a local family business is set to take on one of the world’s toughest motorsport challenges to raise funds for and awareness of a Masbrough-based charity his firm has championed for years.
Mark Hatfield, director of South Yorkshire family business Roy Hatfield Group, will take on the Dakar Rally for homelessness charity Shiloh Rotherham in January next year.
The two-week rally will see competitors cover approximately 8,390 kilometres across challenging desert terrain, mountains and remote wilderness, testing their physical endurance, mental resilience and riding skills to the limit.
After years of training and competing in rally raid events, reaching the Dakar Rally has been a long-held personal ambition for Mark.
During the challenge, he will face long days on his bike, extreme conditions and nights sleeping in a tent.
But Mark is taking on the challenge to raise money for Shiloh Rotherham, a local charity founded in 1992 and based on Station Road which supports adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Mark and his family have supported Shiloh for many years through their family business, Roy Hatfield Group, and have seen first-hand the difference the charity makes to people facing difficult circumstances.
He said: “Reaching the Dakar Rally has been a personal goal of mine for a long time, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to take on this challenge by choice.
“For two weeks, I’ll be pushing myself physically and mentally, sleeping in a tent and tackling some incredibly tough conditions.
“But I know that many people face hardship every day through no choice of their own.
“That’s why I wanted to use this challenge to raise money for Shiloh.
“We’ve supported the charity for many years and have seen the fantastic work they do to help people in our local community.
“I hope this challenge will raise both funds and awareness, helping Shiloh continue to be there for people when they need support most.”
Sarah Smart, CEO of Shiloh Rotherham, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Mark and the Hatfield family for their continued support of Shiloh.
“It’s fantastic that Mark is using such a huge personal challenge to help raise money for our work.
“Behind every donation is an opportunity for us to support someone facing homelessness or struggling to make ends meet.
“Whether it’s providing the essentials someone needs today or helping them take steps towards a more settled future, every contribution makes a difference.
“We’ll be cheering Mark on throughout his Dakar adventure and wish him all the very best.”
To support Mark’s Dakar Rally challenge and donate to Shiloh Rotherham, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/mark-hatfield-1