Mayor of Erewash Reliant Robin: 2,000-Mile Europe Charity Run Completed

Published: 27 April 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

In a feat of endurance and mechanical optimism, Councillor Harry Atkinson, the Mayor of Erewash, has successfully completed a 2,000-mile odyssey across Europe in a bright blue Reliant Robin. The charity road trip, which saw the iconic three-wheeler traverse four countries, concluded this morning as the Mayor returned to Derbyshire, having raised thousands for local causes and proving that “Del Boy’s favorite motor” has more life in it than the skeptics suggested.

Accompanying the Mayor were three friends who squeezed into the fiberglass cult classic for the journey, which was designed to celebrate the borough’s international links. The “Reliant Run” took the team to three locations twinned with towns in Erewash: Châlons-en-Champagne in France, Gütersloh in Germany, and Heusden-Zolder in Belgium.

The highlight—and perhaps the most perilous moment—of the trip occurred ten days ago when Councillor Atkinson took the Reliant Robin onto the legendary Nürburgring racetrack in Germany.

The Performance: Known as the “Green Hell,” the Nürburgring is typically the haunt of supercars. The Mayor’s Robin, however, managed to complete a full lap on its three wheels, albeit at a significantly lower speed than the usual residents.

The Champagne Stop: Before reaching the track, the team visited a small champagne producer in Erewash’s twin town of Châlons, ensuring the “French leg” of the trip was appropriately celebrated.

Mechanical Resilience: Despite the Reliant Robin’s reputation for being “tip-prone,” the Mayor reported that the vehicle handled the steep curves of the German track without a single roll.

The Mayor’s European run comes amidst a surge of interest in the Reliant Robin. Just last month, British adventurer Oliver Jenks and Canadian Seth Scott completed a staggering 14,000-mile journey from London to Cape Town, South Africa, in a 20-year-old Robin named “Sheila.”

“If Sheila can make it across 22 countries to the tip of Africa, I knew our little blue Robin could make it to Germany,” Councillor Atkinson told Erewash Sound this morning. “It’s about showing that British spirit—and a bit of madness—still exists.”

The primary goal of the 2,000-mile trek was to raise funds for the Mayor’s chosen charities, which this year focus on youth mental health and veterans’ support in the Erewash area.

Community Support: Local businesses in Ilkeston and Long Eaton sponsored the fuel and ferry costs, ensuring that every penny donated by the public goes directly to the charities.

The Return: A small homecoming ceremony is planned for later this week at the Town Hall, where the final fundraising total will be revealed.

While the Reliant Robin went out of production in the early 2000s, its status as a British cultural icon remains untouchable. From Only Fools and Horses to the viral “Sheila the Three-Wheeler” trek to Africa, the vehicle continues to inspire a unique brand of “questionable life choices” and grand adventures.

As Councillor Atkinson parks his blue Robin back in its Derbyshire garage, he has cemented his place as one of the UK’s more adventurous civic leaders. For the people of Erewash, the Mayor’s trip was a reminder that while the borough is twinned with cities across Europe, its heart—and its sense of humor—remains firmly at home.

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