A Kenilworth on-call firefighter has visited all 17 Warwickshire Fire Stations during a 200-mile charity cycle across last weekend.

Alison Insley cycled across the county over three days last Friday, Saturday and Sunday as she raised money for The Fire Fighters Charity, and for UCL Amyloidosis Research Fund.

Alison has been 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.

Last year Alison raised nearly £5000 for the same two charities, but this year has set a target of £2021. She has now reached £1,763.95 - 72 per cent of her target.

Speaking to Kenilworth Nub News Alison said: "It went really well, but I had three very different days."

On day one she covered 80 miles in the sunshine.

"But on the Saturday," she says "I woke up to all of that rain and I was thinking 'I don't know whether I can do this', but I went out and I am glad that I did."

advertisement

When she reached Polesworth, 30 miles in, she was given a hot drink at the library where she could also warm up, before heading out for the next 30 miles.

"At that point I was prepared to give up, I literally had nothing left in the tank, and I just about made it home. But then on Sunday, the weather was fantastic, I did 66 miles and it was fantastic!"

At the end of the final day, Alison was met at Kenilworth Fire Station by friends and family, as well as by mayor Cllr Peter Jones and deputy mayor Cllr Sam Cooke.

"I really enjoyed it, it was one hell of a challenge doing 205 miles altogether, but I did enjoy it. 205 miles, 17 fire stations and 17 hours cycling, and a lot of calories burned!"

As well as taking donations through a just giving page, Alison also received a couple of donations from people she met along the way.

On the Sunday she stopped to help a fellow cyclist who was having to carry his bike near Cubbington who gave a donation. Similarly in Fenny Compton Alison stopped to help two cyclist to repair a flat tyre, both of whom made a donation.

Alison said: "Its just nice really when you see cyclists supporting cyclist isn't it. Two strange experiences but two nice experiences that I had along the way."

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

advertisement