Cyclists in 'around world' cancer fundraiser

Hannah Roberts was aged 19 when she was diagnosed with a grade four glioblastoma in 2022

Former colleagues of a young woman with brain cancer are pedalling in an 80-day cycle challenge to support her fundraising mission.

Hannah Roberts was training to be a welder at JCB when she was diagnosed with a tumour in 2022 and told she had 15 months to live.

The 20-year-old wants to raise £200,000 to build a respite lodge so other young adults dealing with cancer can have a free break with their family.

Forty-two workers at JCB in Rocester, Staffordshire are aiming to static and road cycle a distance equivalent to riding around the world, in the challenge that began earlier.

Forty-two cyclists are set to ride a total of 42,000km to support Ms Roberts' fundraising aim

Ms Roberts was diagnosed with glioblastoma in September 2022, and missed completing her apprenticeship at JCB by one day.

The cycle challenge her former colleagues are completing is set to end on her 21st birthday, with a target to raise £100,000.

Ms Roberts said she wanted to raise money to build a respite lodge that young people in a similar position could use free of charge.

"It's a very stressful situation. All you want sometimes is a break, but you don't have the money to get that break," she said.

"I want to be able to provide somewhere for them."

The lodge is set to go in Willington, Derbyshire near to where the family live.

Ms Roberts' mother Gail Irdale said it was crucial that young adults with cancer got to spend quality time with their families on a short break

JCB worker Jade Turner said they wanted to do a fundraising challenge that would raise as much money as possible, "so obviously it had to be big."

"Let's go hard or go home," she said of the group's aim of riding 42,000km in 80 days.

With help from the firm, Ms Roberts' family has already reached a £250,000 fundraising target for her to travel to the US for immunotherapy treatment not available on the NHS.