There will be many odd sights at the Micklegate Run challenge on Monday.
But few stranger than this. A giant Mr Men style mobile shoe is ready to take on the York BID-sponsored soapbox challenge, which will see 40 teams hurtle down Micklegate hill in home-made carts.
It is the entry of the York Hub, the offices and meeting room off Peter Lane which houses many different business.
The design has been a team effort. Vinny Roberts and Mark Sexton, who both run businesses at York Hub, Vinny’s brother Lewis, and John Logan and Sam Hobson, from the hub, have all been involved.
Also on board is Jo Matthews. She not only works at the hub but founded SoulSpace – which is the chosen charity of the team.
Funny form of transport
Soapbox Challenge 2018
- Mon Aug 27 @ 10am-5pm
- Micklegate (obvs)
- Free
- More details
As any fan of Mr Men will tell you, the shoe cart is the perfect replica of Mr Funny’s car. It has cost about £600 to build out of old bicycles and plywood.
And to create the finished look took “metres of material, numerous trips to most of the DIY stores in York, a gigantic amount of papier mache and several somewhat heated discussions,” Jo said.
They are hopeful it will be competitive come the big day. Judge for yourself in the video…
About SoulSpace
The group is run by Jo Matthews and Mel Fox who are both survivors of historical sexual abuse.
The support group, which is open to men, women, boys and girls, provides a safe space for people to meet once a month – a no-pressure environment to feel safe.