Donations flood in to buy hearing aid for 105-year-old Hour Record holder

Robert Marchand set a new Hour Record for his age group earlier in January

Robert Marchand cycled competitively into his 100s (Photo: ARSIN/SIPA/REX/Shutterstock)

105-year-old French rider Robert Marchand captured the hearts of many when he set a new Hour Record for his age group earlier in January, and now his new fans are coming together to help him buy a new hearing aid.

An appeal for donations by Gérard Mistler, Marchand's coach and the president of the L'Ardéchoise sportive, was launched last week, and, according to Le Dauphiné, saw €800 raised in the first day alone.

Watch: 105-year-old Robert Marchand sets a new Hour Record

The hearing aid that Marchand requires will cost €6,000, which the Frenchman is unable to afford on his €900 per month pension.

Marchand shot to stardom when he set an Hour Record for the newly-established 105+ age group, with a ride of 22.547km at the French national velodrome in Saint Quentin en Yvelines near Paris.

Speaking before taking the record, Marchand said: “I’m not here to break any record. I’m doing it to prove that at 105 years old you can still ride a bike.”

Unfortunately there is no crowdfunding site for the fund, with those wishing to make donations told to send a cheque, made payable to Robert Marchand to Association de l'Ardéchoise, 1 place des Myrtilles, 07410 Saint-Felicien, France.

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Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.