A Bradley Stoke mum is preparing to cycle more than 300 miles alongside the Great Wall of China, to raise money for a cause close to her heart.
Jo Bray is the Bristol Branch Chairman and Trustee for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, a charity she is passionate about because her mum has leukaemia.
Having been involved with fundraising for the charity for several years, Miss Bray felt the time had come for her to tackle her own challenge for the cause, and was inspired to cycle when she heard of a 17-year-old who had cycled from London to Lisbon for the same charity.
When she started training for the challenge, the 37-year-old said she could “just about ride a bike for a mile” but is now cycling around 100 miles a week in preparation for the challenge, which will see her riding between 45 and 70 miles a day on challenging terrain.
Miss Bray, a graphic designer, said:
“I am quite excited about the prospect of the challenge but also scared as this is the first time I will have been anywhere so far afield.”
“My mum was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2006 and without the research that the charity carried out, she would not be here today.”
“Every penny raised will be invested in our leading research, which is making a real difference to the lives of patients with blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma and I would like to make sure this continues to happen.”
You can support Jo as she cycles to beat blood cancer by visiting her fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/jos-cyclechallenge.
Jo, who will undertake the Great Wall challenge in April, is also putting on a Charity Race Night to help raise money towards her target of £5,000.
Speaking about the event, which will take place in Almondsbury next month, she said:
“If anyone would like a good night out, with great entertainment then come along to North Bristol RFC on Friday 1st March. Entry is open to anyone, it’s free and doors open at 7pm. Racing starts at 7:30pm. I’ll also be riding my bike for the entire duration of the event!”
