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760 mile bike ride for fundraiser Nikki Quelch
By Jonathan LowSeptember 11, 2012
An apprentice software tester is taking on what she calls a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ by cycling 760 miles across the UK.
Nikki Quelch, of Calfridus Way in Bracknell, is part of a core group of 50 riders taking on the British Gas Bike Britain 2012 Challenge between Uddingston and Windsor.
Nikki, 37, who works and trains via the QA Apprenticeships scheme at British Gas, began the journey on Saturday, September 1, just outside Glasgow, and and travelled through three counties taking in cities including Newcastle and Cardiff before finishing in Windsor on Sunday, September 9.
Before the event, she said: “It’s such an amazing opportunity, I’m never ever going to get the chance to do anything like it again.
“I signed up initially to do just the one day, and then the two, but as my training was going really well, my coach persuaded me to do the whole thing.”
The mother-of-three hopes to raise £3,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
She said: “Knowing I am raising money for the charity is a real motivation for me.
“I am very lucky to have three children who are very healthy, but 93 per cent of the charity’s revenue comes through donations so this is really important to me.
“I did a collection in Martins Heron a couple of weeks ago and managed to raise several hundred pounds in about four hours, so I want to say a real thank you to those who donated.”
The challenge is divided into sections, with riders having to cycle anything from 50 to 110 miles per day and rest stops every 25 miles.
Nikki added: “I’ve always been a keen mountain biker spending days cycling in Swinley Forest, but I’d never intended to go the full 760 mile distance!
“Luckily I’ve had so much support, from my parents looking after my children for the full nine days, to all the contributions I’ve had so far.
To sponsor Nikki, log on to www.charitygiving.co.uk/nikkiquelch1.
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