A 72-year-old fundraiser is taking on an epic charity challenge in aid of disability and sight loss charity Henshaws and the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation.
Rob Northfield, from Clint near Harrogate, climbed for three hours non-stop on the Stairmaster last year for Henshaws - but is now planning to top that that by climbing for four to six hours with the support of friend and former England and Leeds United footballer Tony Dorigo.
Rob aims to climb 1,272 floors and a staggering 6,632 metres – roughly the equivalent of scaling the Burj Khalifa - the world's tallest building - over five times.
Last year, the grandad of six raised £10,300 for Henshaws and this year he's hoping to dramatically increase his time and the money he raises, despite being fitted with a pacemaker in September.
Now nine months after surgery, Rob is defying the odds and plans to do a minimum of four hours of climbing for the gruelling challenge.
Rob, who played for Leyton Orient FC in his youth, said:
“It’s in my DNA. I’ve been running around since I was eight and never had a week off.
“A lot of older people say their brain feels like it’s 21, well my body and my brain feel 21, I can run faster than most 21-year-olds. People get old before their time and it’s because they stop moving.
“If I can inspire people to get fitter and give time or money to charity then that would be a real bonus.”
Rob has been training for five months and is gradually increasing the number of hours he does on the Stairmaster.
He said training can be ‘lonely’ but the money he is raising for charity keeps him going:
“On Sunday I went to the gym to do two and a half hours on the Stairmaster before it closed, and it was empty.
“You do sometimes feel a bit lonely or think, ‘Why am I doing this, why am I here?’ but then the following day someone donated £1,000 and then you think ‘I know why I’m here."
Rob, who is now retired after founding several successful companies, is an avid fundraiser and has raised tens of thousands for charity over the years.
He added:
“When I do anything now all the money goes to charity.
“I’ve done a lot for charity over the years. I like helping people.”
The 72-year-old is a devoted patron of Henshaws and last year raised a huge £22,000 for the charity through his fundraising.
Thanks to his efforts, Henshaws has been able to offer life-changing resources, including iPads for non-verbal students at its Specialist College in Harrogate, enabling them to communicate for the first time.
Rob’s fundraising has also provided materials for workshops held at the Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough.
At the centre individuals with disabilities can develop skills, form friendships, and gain confidence to lead independent lives.
This year Rob is also raising money for the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation that provides direct support to young people, and projects helping those young people, across the region.
Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation Chairman Peter McCormick OBE said:
“Rob has been a long term supporter of our annual Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards, which raise money for the Foundation, and we are delighted that he has chosen the Foundation as one of the beneficiaries of his huge effort.
“He knows our grants go direct to the young people who need them and this will help up to make a difference to even more lives.”
Gemma Young, Henshaws Fundraising Development Manager, added:
“Rob is nothing short of extraordinary. He continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible - physically and philanthropically.
“Rob’s spirit and determination were rightly recognised when he received the Rob Burrow Outstanding Contribution to Charity Award in 2024, and he continues to live up to that honour with his latest challenge.
“We’re incredibly proud to have him as a Henshaws patron and will be cheering him on every step of the way.”
Rob is taking on the challenge on Friday 13th June at Knaresborough Leisure & Wellbeing Centre and has a fundraising page where supporters can donate.
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