Rushcliffe Councillor set for mystery bus pass tour in aid of Guide Dogs charity
Last updated: 3/7/2026
Rushcliffe Borough Council's (RBC) Ward Member for Gotham Cllr Andy Brown is set to take part in a mystery bus pass tour on Saturday August 1 to help raise money for the Mayor of Rushcliffe’s chosen charity, Guide Dogs UK.
The challenge will see Cllr Brown explore how far he can travel across the UK in 24 hours by only using buses with his older person's concessionary travel pass.
Cllr Brown’s journey will start at 6am and carry on until the final bus he can catch that day, and you can help support his efforts with a fixed donation or by sponsoring him with a set fee per mile travelled.
He is seeking to help raise funds to support the Mayor of Rushcliffe, Cllr Richard Butler’s mayoral charity Guide Dogs UK, who work for a world where people with sight loss are never left out of life, for a world where being blind or partially sighted is not what defines you.
Almost two million people in the UK are living with sight loss that has a significant impact on their daily lives. Of those, around 180,000 rarely leave their homes alone and lead lonely, isolated lives.
Anyone can follow Cllr Brown throughout his journey by viewing his live tracker where he will share photos and text updates. The live tracker link will be available on the Mayor's Facebook page on the morning of the challenge.
To sponsor Cllr Brown, please visit the Mayor’s JustGiving page: https://tinyurl.com/2xbzzurr
Cllr Brown said: “I am excited for this challenge and to support the Mayor, I hope to be able to raise a significant amount to make a major contribution to covering the cost of training at least one new guide dog with this challenge.
“I also want to use this as an opportunity to highlight the vast opportunities available to older people in the UK through the older person's concessionary travel pass, which allows you to travel for free not just in your local area, but across the country.
“I have been going over various bus timetables and potential routes to put myself in the best position possible to travel the maximum number of miles.”
Cllr Butler added: "This is an exciting and fun way to raise funds for my charity, and I am very grateful to Cllr Brown for thinking of this initiative not just to raise funds but also the profile of guide dogs and the difference they make to so many people's lives.
"Most of us take our senses for granted, including our sight, but it is important to take a moment as you look out of the window at the trees, wildlife, other people, walk to the shops or get on the bus to imagine how it must be not to be able to see those things.
“Thousands of people of all ages are born with or suffer gradual, or sudden sight loss and Guide Dogs UK provide a lifeline for them, and I marvel at what guide dogs can do, we know that all dogs are loyal to their owners, but guide dogs are so much more.
“Training a guide dog is an incredible skill and requires a lot of money both during the training and also throughout the time that the dog is looking after and guiding its owner, so I hope this challenge can help make a difference by supporting a great cause.”