Race to Save the British Swallowtail: Two Tandems, Double the Impact 

Jimmy Doherty – Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park – has teamed up with partners and supporters Clarkes of Walsham to launch a tandem cycling challenge with twice the impact. As part of the Big Give’s EarthRaise campaign, all funds raised by the teams will be doubled, turning pedal power into even greater support for the British Swallowtail butterfly – Jimmy’s favourite – and its fragile Norfolk Broads habitat.

The initiative, “Can You Ride Tandem”, will see two tandem teams go head-to-head in a friendly, action-driven challenge to plant milk parsley – the essential food plant for the British Swallowtail – across key areas of the Norfolk Broads.

Taking part are:

  • Team Jimmy’s - Jimmy Doherty (Patron, Space for the Wild, and Founder and CEO, Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park) and Stevie Sheppard (Park Director) Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park
  • Team Clarkes of Walsham - Richard Balls (Managing Director) and Rob Fuller (Company Sales Manager) Clarkes of Walsham
Race to Save the British Swallowtail: Two Tandems, Double the Impact

A Friendly Race with Real Impact

This is not a standard charity cycle ride – it’s a playful conservation challenge built around energy, teamwork, and friendly rivalry.

The teams will cycle through the Broads planting milk parsley as they go to bolster the Broads’ butterfly-friendly nature corridor, competing to see who can create the greatest impact in a single day.

The British Swallowtail butterfly is found only in the Norfolk Broads, making it one of the UK’s rarest and most geographically restricted species. Its survival depends entirely on this vital wetland plant, its caterpillars’ only food source.

Harnessing the Power of Pedalling

Launching on Earth Day, the campaign highlights how human (pedal) power can be turned into meaningful environmental action for our planet.

By combining cycling with hands-on conservation, the initiative is turning a simple ride into action and lasting impact.

A Message from Jimmy

“I’ve set the wheels in motion for a bit of friendly competition with the Clarkes team – two tandems, plenty of pedalling, and a race to see who can plant the most milk parsley for the Swallowtail butterfly. It’s about having fun while doing something genuinely important for the Norfolk Broads.” 

How to Donate

To double your donation to support Team Jimmy’s and Team Clarkes’ Tandem Bike Ride please: