TV star’s epic motorbike challenge in memory of best friend to support two leading brain charities

Renowned actor Charles Dale is setting off on a month-long motorcycle ride across England and Wales in memory of his friend who died from a brain injury.

Charles will visit 100 motorcycle cafes across Wales and England in 30 days as part of ‘Shaun’s TT 100’ to raise money for the charities Brain Tumour Research and Headway – the brain injury association.

A stalwart of Saturday night TV in his role as Big Mac in BBC hospital drama Casualty, and more recently Emmerdale, Charles will set off on Monday 19 May from his hometown of Tenby, where he is Deputy Mayor, in memory of his friend Shaun Griffiths who died in October 2024.

Charles said: “Just over six months ago one of my oldest and best friends suffered a catastrophic brain injury because of what can only be described as a “silly” household accident - he slipped on the stairs. Unfortunately for Shaun this resulted in a bleed on the brain and just over a week later his family had to make the most difficult decision ever, to withdraw life support. Shaun died shortly after; he was 63.

“When you get to my age you are unfortunately no stranger to death, but losing loved ones to old age or illness, though no less painful, has always sort of made sense to me. This however was different, I couldn’t make sense of it. Shaun slipped on the stairs, something we’ve all done, and yet my lovely, always smiling friend of over 40 years, was gone. I had to do something, so after talking with his family, ‘Shaun’s TT 100’ was born.”

The epic challenge, which will see Charles joined by famous faces along the way, comes as he is announced as Ambassador for Brain Tumour Research. Charles was a close friend of Coronation Street star Bill Tarmey, whose son Carl died of a brain tumour, as well as being acquainted with writer, poet and musician Benjamin Zephaniah, also lost to a brain tumour in 2023. Charles is also very good friends with fellow actor and Ambassador Craig Russell who underwent surgery to remove a meningioma two years ago.

Charles said: “Seeing the devastating impact brain tumours have had on my friends’ lives has been awful – so I’m deeply honoured to become an Ambassador for Brain Tumour Research, the leading voice of the brain tumour community and a cause that’s very close to my heart.

“Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, to date, just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease since records began in 2022. This must change! Enough is enough.”

Dan Knowles, CEO of Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are deeply honoured to announce Charles as our new Ambassador. He has been a huge support to the charity, playing a key role in some of our biggest campaigns such as Shine A Light and Wear A Hat Day during Brain Tumour Awareness Month. One in three people knows someone affected by a brain tumour and we look forward to working with Charles to drive the much-needed change which brain tumour patients and their families so desperately deserve.”

Charles joins the charity’s other Ambassadors, double Olympic medallist Sam Reardon whose mum died from a glioblastoma; Netflix star, actor, writer, and producer, Craig Russell; Eastenders actress Danielle Harold; influencer, podcaster, and content creator Abi Feltham who was diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma in 2024; Sam Suriakumar, who was diagnosed with a glioma in 2020.

Russell Marriott, Director of Income Generation and Development at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We are enormously grateful to Charles for his dedication in taking on this challenge to shine a light on Brain Tumour Research and Headway – two charities fighting for those affected by brain tumours and brain injuries. It is a unique opportunity to fund vital research and life-changing support that will bring much-needed hope to our communities. We wish Charles the best of luck and look forward to following his epic journey!”

Headway provides support, services and information to brain injury survivors, their families and carers. Headway - the brain injury association supports a network of more than 100 independent Headway charities and volunteer-led branches throughout the UK.

Jen Murgatroyd, Director of Fundraising of Headway, said: "We’re proud to join Brain Tumour Research in celebrating Charles’ remarkable journey. This collaboration is a powerful opportunity to raise awareness and vital funds, bringing hope, support, and life-changing services to those affected by brain injury and their families. A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved. And to Charles, good luck! We can’t wait to welcome you back."

Brain Tumour Research funds sustainable research at dedicated centres in the UK. It also campaigns for the Government and larger cancer charities to invest more in research into brain tumours in order to speed up new treatments for patients and, ultimately, to find a cure. The charity is the driving force behind the call for a national annual spend of £35 million in order to improve survival rates and patient outcomes in line with other cancers such as breast cancer and leukaemia.