Two women are challenging themselves to cycle the SW300 in five days for two local charities after being inspired by BBC Radio 1 DJ Mollie King.
Janet Lycett and Ann Gill will be setting off on their 300 mile cycle route through the Dumfries & Galloway region and Ayrshire to raise funds for Carer Support South Lakes and Thumbs Up for Charlie charities – with the fundraising name of ‘Two old girls cycling’.
Janet has overcome serious health issues to reach the fitness needed to complete the challenge.
Janet, from Milnthorpe said: “I have always used sport to support my mental health from a young age. At 30 I started having severe back problems which prevented me doing any form of exercise. I was diagnosed with three degenerative lower discs. A natural process in someone twice my age with no cure. This had a detrimental effect on my mental health. I was determined that this was not going to beat me. At 40 I was running Half Marathons and completed a FA Football Coaching Badge to help promote Women’s Football.
“However, I started having problems with my middle part of my back again which prevented me doing any form of exercise. My mental health was affected again. Last November I was diagnosed with severe Osteoporosis, a curve in my spine and a squashed disc. I found Tracy Dixon Mind Body and Fitness online and joined a Spin and Pilates class. Under her guidance and support I have become mentally and physically stronger.
“This spurred me and my friend Ann Gill to challenge ourselves to cycle the SW300 in 5 days inspired by a challenge Mollie King of Radio 1 did last year.”
Mollie cycled 500 km from Hull to London for her Red Nose Day challenge. Now Janet and Ann are taking on the 500 km cycle challenge in South West Scotland.
The South West Coastal 300 (SWC300) is located in a quiet corner of Scotland in the south-west area. It heads through Dumfries & Galloway region and Ayrshire. The cycle route loop reaches the most southerly point in Scotland at Mull of Galloway, as well as passing through Wanlockhead, in the Lowther Hills.
Janet said: “We are supporting two local charities; Carers Support South Lakes and Thumbs up for Charlie. Both providing vital support and breaks for parents and families.
“I help support a family of seven who until recently were sole, unpaid Carers. The unsung heroes.
“Josh was born at 25 weeks weighing just 2lb and suffered a bleed on the brain and other complications. The family were asked if they wanted to turn off the ventilator as his prognosis was so bad. They chose not to and let Josh prove everyone wrong which he did.
“Josh has severe learning difficulties, epilepsy, hearing loss, cerebral, palsy, speech and language difficulties and hydrocephalus. Just these words paint a bleak picture but nothing about Josh is bleak.
“The education system let him down badly which left him with no confidence, undervalued and unappreciated.
“The family then became his full-time Carers as well as running their farm. After a long battle Josh was given 76 hrs of care support which I and other Carers support him. The change in Josh is beyond belief. He has grown in confidence and loves his adventures with us.”
Ann added: “Its an honour to support two amazing charities that make a huge difference.”
CEO of Carer Support South Lakes, Debi Marsden said: “We are so grateful to Janet and Ann for choosing us as one of their charities to support with their epic cycle challenge. Every penny raised goes towards helping those supporting family and friends.
“We are an independent registered charity with over 30 years experience of providing assistance to unpaid Carers of all ages in South Lakeland. The youngest we support is five years old and the oldest is currently 98.”
Thumbs up for Charlie, a foundation set up by Charlie’s parents to help provide respite breaks for families whose child has been diagnosed with a brain tumour or families bereaved because of a childhood brain tumour. They also donate funds to contribute towards future research, specifically around paediatric Ependymoma brain tumours.
Co-founder of Thumbs up for Charlie, John Robinson said: “We are humbled by the continued support shown for ‘ThumbsupforCharlie’ challenges in which people push themselves in memory of Charlie reflecting the courage and bravery he always showed are brilliant. These funds help us continue to support the families which need it most. Respite is so important and many of these families don’t realise how important it is until they have received it. We can’t wait to track the riders and wish them all the best on their ride.”
Janet and Ann will be setting off on their five day journey on Friday 13th September. Donations can be made via their Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/page/just-2-old-girls-cycling
