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IN A SPIN
Lynn Howarth, who is taking part in a sponsored bike ride across Kenya to raise funds for women's cancer charities. PIC BY ROB LOCK 11-1-12
WHEN Lynn Howarth gets on her bike to cycle 400km across tough Kenyan terrain, it will be for a cause very close to her heart.
The mum-of-one has set herself the personal challenge to raise money for Women V Cancer, a collective of women’s cancer charities, in memory of her mum.
Lynn, who works for Blackpool Council, had seen the mammoth cycle ride advertised in a magazine and felt inspired to sign up.
Her mum, Beryl Thorpe, sadly lost her battle with cervical cancer 20 years ago.
Lynn, said: “It will be a personal challenge, because I have gone from nothing to 40 to 50 miles on a particular day.
“I just spotted the challenge in a magazine and thought it would be good to do it.
“I wanted to challenge myself and to raise money for a good cause at the same time.
“It felt fitting to do this challenge, as it is backed by Women V Cancer, three women’s cancer charities. “I lost my own mum to cancer, two weeks before my daughter was born.
“She had cervical cancer and she never got to see her granddaughter.
“I also don’t think there is anybody out there who has not been affected by cancer at some point in their lives.”
The mammoth ride will take Lynn and the rest of the group five days to complete.
The 51-year-old said: “I am looking forward to it now, though a little nervous.
“It will be a challenge mentally and physically but the scenery will be amazing.
“I will be in a group and we will have support and help to keep us safe.
“Since I started the training, I feel much healthier.
“I feel much fitter and have noticed that, although I haven’t lost weight on the scales, my clothes do fit better.
“So far, I’ve raised £3,300 – which is about £500 above the minimum they ask you to raise.
“I’ve done a combination of fundraising events, such as doing sponsored spinning on a bike in Morrisons foyer, car boot sales and so on.
“But I would really like to raise more and be able to give as much as possible to the charities.”
The charities supported are Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action. To sponsor, log onto www.justgiving.com/lynn-howarth.
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Wednesday 30 May 2012
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