Cyclists tackle 400km challenge in Jamaica for charity (From Gazette & Herald)

Cyclists tackle 400km challenge in Jamaica for Marie Curie Cancer Care

11:28am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in News By Karen Darley

LOCAL cyclists have returned home after successfully completing a challenging 400km cycle ride in Jamaica to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Sisters Judy Singleton of Scarborough and Cheryl Barrett, area fundraising manager for Marie Curie, along with their cousin Joan Coombs from Sherburn and friend Rick Hudson from Manchester, joined 20 other cyclists from across the UK to take part in the adventure of a lifetime.

The eight-day challenge led them on a coastal route along the island’s northern shore, from Robin’s Bay to Negril, tackling a variety of terrain in unseasonably hot temperatures – sometimes over 40 degrees centigrade.

Along the way, they experienced local attractions such as climbing the famous Dunns River Falls, visit the home of GMTV’s Mr Motivator and sampling fresh coconuts at a fruit market.

Marie Curie hopes to have raised £107,000 from the challenge.

Cheryl said: “We all enjoyed a thoroughly amazing experience, the challenge and the camaraderie among wonderful individuals is something that I will never forget.

“In Marie Curie, I see how the right care, in the right place, at the right time can make a huge difference to people with a terminal illness and their families. I hope our cycling will raise awareness of the work of Marie Curie Nurses.”

She added: “Training for the cycle ride was tough, particularly when I hadn’t cycled since childhood but it was a great incentive to get fit and we had immense fun along the way.

“I would definitely encourage others to sign up for one of the many challenges that Marie Curie Cancer Care has to offer – many of the team are already considering cycling from Vietnam to Cambodia in January 2014.”

For information on more challenges for Marie Curie, go to www.mareicurie.org.uk/overseas or phone 08700 340 040.