Clowning around for a cause

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) - A colorful sight peddled down the streets of Springfield and Dayton on Thursday. His name was Mophe, and he was a clown on a mission.

So far, Mophe, who declined to give us his real name, said he had clocked 890 miles around the country on his unicycle.

He was quite a sight, with his big red nose, rainbow socks, and shock of electric blue hair. Mophe's mission was to encourage people all over the country to donate gift cards to charities this Christmas season.
Mophe the clown is is pedaling for a cause...

"You know, last year I read a story that there were about $90-billion of gift cards sold, and about 10% of those would never be used. That's a lot of money that could go to good use and help with charities," said Mophe.

The website designer from Columbus said he was driving his car throughout the country, then straddling his unicycle through communities to spread the word.

So far, he has visited every state, except Alaska and Hawaii.

Here are some interesting facts about Mophe. He learned to ride his unicycle when he was 11, it took him 6 months, and he's fallen off his bike more than 5,000 times.

You can track Mophe's mission by simply searching for him on facebook or twitter.