Long distance cyclist to join Sir Chris Hoy charity ride

Ella Shepherd was inspired by her dad who has stage four stomach cancer to take part in the cycle challenge

A woman who is cycling the length of the UK will take a 56-mile detour to take part in another ride alongside six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist, Sir Chris Hoy.

Ella Shepherd, from Hull, started her 840-mile (1,350km) journey from Land's End to John O'Groats on 29 August to support those living with stomach cancer, including her dad John.

She will be joined later by her uncle Alan and cousin Oliver to take part in Hoy's Tour De 4 ride in Glasgow before she heads back towards her own challenge.

Ms Shepherd said her dad, who is a keen cyclist, was due to join them but was unable to "due to recent setbacks" but she would be "relying on his motivational speeches".

Keen cyclist John Shepherd was due to join the ride with his daughter but was unable to due to being in hospital

Ms Shepherd, who is an NHS scientific support officer at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, is raising money for the WISHH Charity, which helps patients at the cancer unit in Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham.

The charity said Ms Shepherd's dad, who is a consultant clinical scientist at Hull Royal Infirmary, would "be with them in spirit" during the ride.

Ms Shepherd said stomach cancer had "struck dad out of the blue in September 2023" and, despite several operations, "he's still battling on".

She said the family's cycle challenge was "our quest to give back" and that it would be "the biggest physical challenge I've taken on my own to date".

Lisa Whitton of the WISHH Charity said: "We are immensely proud by the courage and resilience shown by the whole family and Ella's decision to carry on with the challenge and Chris Hoy's Tour De 4.

"Their determination is a true reflection of their strength and is an inspiration to us all."

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