A Kenilworth on-call firefighter is set to cycle nearly 200 miles between all the Warwickshire Fire Stations in aid of UCL Amyloidosis Research Fund and The Fire Fighters Charity.

Alison Insley, who is based at Kenilworth Fire Station, will cycle between all 17 fire stations in the county across three days this May.

Starting at 7.00am on Friday May 7 Alison will depart from Kenilworth and take in the seven other stations in South Warwickshire before returning to Kenilworth – covering around 75 miles.

On the Saturday she will cover the 60 miles to take in all the north Warwickshire stations, before another 60 mile journey on Sunday 9 across East Warwickshire.

Alison is raising money for UCL Amyloidosis Research Fund to mark the 15th anniversary of her mother's passing from amyloidosis on May 9 2006.

Amyloidosis is a rare, progressive disease which is caused by amyloid protein building in tissues and organs around the body. Undiagnosed or without treatment that disease can lead to organ failure, however there is currently no cure.

Alison has raised money for this charity on a number of occasions before; previously she cycled between all 34 Warwickshire libraries in 2011.

Alison had actually intended to cover the fire stations last year but was unable to do so.

Speaking to Nub News she said: "it is the event that I was planning to do last May, but with Covid and the restrictions I wasn't allowed to do it.

"So I changed the event to do 25 miles for 25 days from the day that my mum passed away to my birthday, so it worked out really well in a sense because it gave me a whole month of fun!

"I cycled around all Warwickshire Libraries back in 2011 when I was 40 years old, so 10 years later, I no longer work for the Library Service, but I do work for Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service, so I'm planning to cycle around all the Warwickshire Fire Stations."

Last year Alison raised nearly £5000 for the same two charities, but this year has set a target of £2021. Three days into fundraising and she has already received £310.

Alison is also set to be joined by Chief Fire Officer Kieran Amos on her first day of cycling. She hopes to have other friends and family join her for various stints across the three days for company.

On the Sunday afternoon she is then hoping for as many people as possible to join her in the final flourish.

"I want as many people on the final day to join me in Leamington and cycle into Kenilworth. It is only four miles so the idea is for a novice you could probably cycle four miles, even if you go slowly, it is not a race."

Whilst Alison commutes to work on her bicycle she does not describe herself as a cyclist, so this 200 mile challenge will be no easy weekend in the saddle.

"I am not fast; I have been a commuter by bike for years, but I have never been a cyclist ever. I have never thought 'I am going to go for a bike ride because it doesn't appeal to me', so I have never been a cyclist until lockdown last March. I had no gym and I became a cyclist!

"As I said the last year the bike has become my best friend, it has been my lifeline really for getting exercise, fresh air and headspace."

If you would like to donate to Alison's online fundraising page then please follow this link.