A YEADON mum-of-two who has lost friends and family to cancer is about to complete 40 challenges in a year by cycling from London to Paris.

It's been a busy year for Kirsty Midgley, who has already completed 39 challenges to raise money for St Gemma's Hospice and Cancer Research UK – two charities close to her heart.

She began back in August 2015 when, having just turned 40 and barely able to run around the block, she joined a running club and completed her first 5km park run. By September, she was running 10k and entered the Leeds Abbey Dash followed by the ten-mile Chevin Dash on Boxing Day.

The following year brought new challenges, including a half-marathon, a ten-mile row across Lake Windermere and the Leeds GOTri triathlon.

The last challenge – which she is doing in memory of her mum – will be the toughest to date. When she entered the London to Paris bike ride she didn't own a bike and hadn't ridden one for 20 years. But now she has taken to the saddle to cycle 300 miles during four days through the French countryside and into the capital.

Along with her good friend John Hewitt, she set off yesterday and hopes to arrive in Paris on Saturday. Together, the pair have already raised more than £3,000, but would like to see the total hit £4,000 by the end of July.

Speaking prior to setting off, Kirsty said she was excited about taking to the road but also nervous of the task ahead.

She added: “Every time I get tired or my legs ache, I remember why I’m doing this.

"Losing my mum to cancer when I was younger was really hard. If I can contribute in some small way to helping other families then the four days on a bike seems like a small price to pay.”

E-mail kirsty_warneford@hotmail.com or visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Kirsty-Midgley-40challenges to sponsor the duo.

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