Lanes backs four women in African bike challenge

Lanes Group is sponsoring four intrepid women who are cycling across Tanzania in Africa to raise money for cancer care.

One of the women is Jacky Godfrey, whose husband, Ian, died from cancer in 2010.

Jacky and her sister, Christine Humberstone, plus two close friends, Philippa McDowell and Shirley Foster, have now joined a charity bike trek through Tanzania called Unite Against Cancer.

The four friends flew out to the East African country on October 5 2013 to prepare for their 350km cycle ride, organised by Global Adventure Challenges, which they are expected to complete in just five days.

The route takes them from the lower slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro, through two National Parks to finish at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Ngorongoro Crater Reserve.

Jacky, who lives in the Ribble Valley, in Lancashire, and her friends are raising money for the The Rosemere Cancer Foundation based at Royal Preston Hospital.

Lanes Group has made a donation to the ladies’ charity fund.

The foundation raises funds for additional equipment and facilities for cancer patients being treated at the specialist Cancer Centre at Royal Preston Hospital, and in the local cancer units throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Jacky said: “Although Ian unfortunately lost his battle against cancer, the care and support he received through the Rosemere Foundation was second to none.

“We are taking part in this event so other people in Lancashire and South Cumbria can continue to receive the same level of care.”

The ladies have already collected more than £8,000 through a black tie ball and other events – and are hoping to raise over £10,000 in total.

If you want to find out more about the team’s African cycling challenge, go to Jacky’s blog: http://www.girlsbikeafrica.blogspot.co.uk/.

If you would like to make a donation, go to: www.justgiving.com/JackyGodfrey-PhilippaMcDowell