Mandy Riches Launches Her Latest 'Big C Big Cycle' Challenge

Raising funds for Maggie's Centres

Chiswick resident and cancer survivor Mandy Riches has another gruelling fundraising challenge on the horizon, three years after she spent five days raising money for Maggie's Cancer Centres- the nearest local one is at Charing Cross Hospital.

During her last trip, Mandy, who has survived cancer three times, found herself climbing up almost 18,000 feet of hills and covering 482 miles on a cycle from Edinburgh to London.

Mandy Riches on the London Revolution Bike Ride at Tower Bridge

This year Mandy says " Five years on from my breast cancer (my third diagnosis of cancer), I am about to embark on another crazy scary challenge for Maggie's Centres.

"This time I am attempting to cycle further than I ever have in one go - 186 miles (300 km) - and overnight, so who knows what sleep deprivation will do! On Friday 16th June, with 3 friends I will be joining the Vätternrundan (round Lake Vättern in Sweden). It's the world’s largest recreational bike challenge, and we will be cycling all night and quite a lot of the next day. It will be like cycling from Chiswick to somewhere like Wakefield or Swansea all in one go - gulp! So far I think I must have already cycled about 1,000 miles in training, including joining the London Revolution Bike Ride recently.

Mandy with actress and write Janet Ellis, who supports Maggie's Centres

Mandy is riding to raise awareness as well as money for Maggie's Centres who offer anyone and everyone affected by cancer free practical, emotional and social support.

"During the breast cancer, the Maggie's Centre in Hammersmith was invaluable to me and I am very grateful for the support of the wonderful team and people I have met there. I was incredibly lucky to have a Maggie’s on my doorstep, but not everybody has such a lovely place to just ‘be’ when facing cancer. I want to help make sure they can continue to support others that need their services and grow the number of centres around London and the UK.

"I would be so grateful if people would support my ride and I have self-funded this trip so alldonations will go to charity."

June 6, 2017