An Oxford Bus Company driver has completed an extraordinary endurance cycling challenge, travelling from Anfield in Liverpool to the Kassam Stadium in Oxford in just 10 hours and five minutes, raising funds for hospice care.
Mark Temple, who has worked for Oxford Bus Company for more than 15 years, set off shortly after 4.00am on Sunday 14 June, marking the culmination of eight months of intense preparation and training.
The route, which finished at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford, tested both physical and emotional limits as Temple pushed through challenging terrain, including steep climbs near Chipping Norton, before arriving in Oxfordshire to an emotional reception.
“It felt right to start at Anfield, and I got goosebumps as I’m a massive Liverpool fan,” he said. “During the first 10 miles I was nervous, too eager, and not concentrating on the plan. But then I started taking in the scenery and enjoying the culmination of eight months of preparation.”
Despite strong conditions, the ride was not without difficulty. “When I got to Chipping Norton and faced a couple of huge hills, I started to have self-doubt,” he added. “But as soon as I saw the signs for Woodstock, it was like I had new legs.”
Temple described the finish as an emotional release unlike anything he had experienced before. “There was an explosion of emotions. I picked up my bike and lifted it above my head. My brother was in tears and I just let go.”
The challenge carried deep personal significance. His father and grandmother-in-law were both cared for by Sobell House before they passed away, motivating his fundraising efforts throughout.
He was supported along the route by colleagues from Thames Travel, fellow bus driver Terry Brackett, and his brother Justin Temple, who helped plan and refine the route.
“Throughout this whole thing, Terry has been a superstar,” said Temple. “He gave me my training plan and kept me grounded when I was doing too much or too little. My brother worked tirelessly on the map and made last-minute tweaks that made a big difference.”
A support team followed within close proximity throughout the ride, providing food, hydration, and logistical support.
Sobell House, which provides specialist palliative and end-of-life care across Oxfordshire, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The hospice has played a central role in Temple’s motivation.
“There are some really good people at Sobell,” he said. “We even tweaked the route so we could stop there and at the Oxford Bus Company depot. People were outside cheering us on, which was really nice.”
Beth Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Sobell House, praised the achievement. “We are incredibly grateful to Mark for taking on such an extraordinary challenge in support of Sobell House. It is thanks to fundraisers like him that we are able to support so many people across the Oxfordshire community.”
She added that Temple’s determination had inspired the entire team.
The challenge also followed recent success for the hospice, after it won the Brand the Bus competition run by Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, securing a major advertising prize package that includes bus branding, radio promotion and community visibility, as well as being named charity partner of Oxford City Football Club for the 2026/27 season.
Donations to support Temple’s fundraising effort can be made here:
JustGiving fundraising page
