Skip to content

'First ever' chain ferry mission in friend's memory

Chloe ParkmanSouth West
News imageChain Ferry Challenge A group of seven men stand in front of a car on a vehicle ferry. They are side by side and are smiling at the camera. They are standing in front of their red car. The water and boats are visible behind them. Chain Ferry Challenge
The group were in the same year at school and grew up together on the Isle of Wight

A group of six friends have travelled on every vehicle chain ferry in the UK, in an electric car and in less than 24 hours, to raise money for charity.

Ruari Kidd, Richard Biggs, Tom Flux, Andrew Price, Sammi Adhami and Edmund Phillips finished the 750-mile (1,207km) journey on the King Harry Ferry across the River Fal in Cornwall on Thursday after setting off in Cumbria.

The group, who called themselves the Chain Ferry Challengers, said it was the "first time in history" it had been attempted and completed.

They took on the mission in a bid to raise money for suicide prevention charity Calm, in honour of their friend Dan Demissie. Phillips, 44, said they finished the challenge at about 23:56:56.

News imageChain Ferry Challenge A generic view of a chain vehicle ferry in the dark. The large ferry is floating on top of the water. A car is parked on top of the vessel which is lit up. Houses are in the background as well as trees.Chain Ferry Challenge
They reached the King Harry Ferry on Thursday evening
News imageEdmund Phillips A group of seven men stand in a row on a ferry. They have their arms wrapped around one another. They are all smiling and look at the camera.Edmund Phillips
(L) to (R) Richard Biggs, Andy Price, Ruary Kidd, Sammi Adhami, Dan Demissie's brother Simon Demissie who did not take part in the challenge, Edmund Phillips and Tom Flux

He said there were some ups and downs along the way, including a traffic jam on the M25 and tiredness.

"Lots of others things, chargers not working, road closures all over the place," he said.

The group said their friend, who took his own life in 2019, was the inspiration for the challenge after they were altogether on a chain ferry in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Phillips said Demissie was a "brilliantly talented guy" who produced two films; Town of Runners and The School in The Cloud.

"He would have found it hilarious, the whole ridiculousness of the process," Phillips added.

More than £10,000 has been raised for the charity.

Phillips said they hoped funds raised would help support other people who may be struggling.

Which ferries did they travel on?

  • Windermere Ferry, across Lake Windermere in Cumbria
  • Reedham Ferry, across the River Yare in Norfolk
  • Isle of Wight Floating Bridge, at the mouth of the River Medina on the Isle of Wight
  • Sandbanks Ferry, across the mouth of Poole Harbour in Dorset
  • Dartmouth Higher Ferry, across the River Dart in Devon
  • Torpoint Ferry, across the River Tamar, connecting Devon and Cornwall
  • King Harry Ferry, across the River Fal in Cornwall

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.

More on this story
Related internet links