“We will do you all proud"

Rachel Anderson from Sheffield will be cycling over 300 miles from London to Paris next month all to raise money for Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

Rachel explains: “I hit a bit of a low in my life last year and I was inspired to live a life of relentless positivity to move myself forward again.

“So, when my friend Andrea asked if I would join her in cycling from London to Paris for charity, it ticked the box as something positive which I could invest my time and energy into.

“I love a challenge and I am delighted to be raising funds for Sheffield Children’s.”

The four-day cycle starts in London, taking in the English countryside from Kent to Dover. Once across the channel, the French part of the cycle involves quiet country lanes, through to traditional market towns and the rolling green hills of Northern France.

A breath-taking finish then awaits, cycling around the Arc de Triomphe and along the Champs Elysées, before finishing at the Eiffel Tower.

Rachel continues: “My friends and family know I love a challenge, so I think they were just glad that I decided to take the ferry across the channel and not add some swimming to the challenge.

“I had great ideas of building up my miles to confidently manage the 160 miles over the first two days of the ride, but I work and have kids so it’s just been a matter of putting as many miles in as I can in the time that I have.

“One of my friends laughed and asked if I had lights for my bike. It may take a long time to ride the miles, but I will do it- riding in the dark if I need to! I am bubbling with excitement, and I have so many people supporting me so I will use the thought of them as my motivation.”

So far, Rachel has raised more than £5,000 for The Children’s Hospital Charity, which will support Sheffield Children’s Hospital where it is needed most, including by building a new Helipad on the roof of the Emergency Department.

Currently, air ambulances land in Weston Park where trauma patients are then stretchered across a busy road under a police escort before entering the Emergency Department at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The Helipad will reduce the delays for patients who need urgent critical care from across South Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire.

With more than half the cost having now been raised, it is hoped with support from the public that fundraising for the £6m project can be completed this year.

Rachel adds: “I have been blown away with people’s generosity and support, so many people have donated and attended our fundraising quiz, Easter Egg hunt and cake sale. We’ve also received an awesome donation from the Loadhog Foundation.

“Everyone loves Sheffield Children’s Hospital. There’s not many people who haven’t got a story about how amazing Sheffield Children’s is and so many people are grateful for the care their families have received.

“It’s exciting to be raising money for the Helipad as it’s such a visual project to be raising money for. It will really help ensure that very poorly kids will quickly be able to access the brilliant care that Sheffield Children’s gives.

“I am so grateful for everyone who has got behind us in this, for those who have encouraged us and for those who have so generously given. Paris here we come, we will do you all proud and let’s build this Helipad.”

You can support Rachel’s fundraising by clicking here.