Mandy Riches Completes Her 'Big C Big Cycle' Challenge

Raised funds for Maggie's Centre at Charing Cross Hospital

Chiswick resident and cancer survivor Mandy Riches has completed her gruelling fundraising challenge raising over £3,500 for Maggie's Cancer Centre.

Mandy recently successfully finished her overnight 186 mile ride in Switzerland, and has lots of memories and photographs to record her endurance test.

She cycled 186 miles (300 km) - overnight, with three friends, on a route known as the Vätternrundan (round Lake Vättern in Sweden). It was comparable to cycling from Chiswick to Swansea in one go.

"Cycling has been crucial to my recovery from cancer - both physically and mentally. This recent cycling challenge for Maggie's has been utterly brilliant," says Mandy.

"I have never ridden that far in one go. It was a long old night and a very long old ride, but the absolute focus on achieving something that seems out of reach is invigorating. I loved it. For me, fundraising to ensure other people can also benefit from the services at Maggie’s keeps me connected to the Centre in Hammersmith – a connection I don’t want to let go…perhaps ever."

Mandy, who has survived cancer three times since her first diagnosis twenty-three years ago, has taken on several challenges to raise money for the cancer charity. One previous trip found her climbing up almost 18,000 feet of hills and covering 482 miles on a cycle from Edinburgh to London."

Mandy will shortly be shutting down her JustGiving page for that challenge, so if you wish to make donations please do it soon.

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

Mandy was cycling to raise money and awareness for Maggie's Centres who offer anyone and everyone affected by cancer free practical, emotional and social support. It costs nearly £600,000 a year to run a Centre.

"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.

The cycle was also in memory of two amazing inspiring women, Francesca Cantini and Shelley Mason, who she met at Maggie's West London young women's support group in 2012.

"They have now sadly passed away, but I know they would definitely appreciate my craziness!"

July 26, 2017