A POPULAR member of staff at Ilkley’s Westville House School is celebrating after completing an epic 301-mile bike ride during September.

Helen James, head of marketing, has just completed the UK Cycle 300 challenge in aid of Cancer Research and in doing so, has raised nearly £400 towards this great cause, smashing her £300 target.

Every day during September and in all weather conditions including torrential rain and gale force winds, Helen, a novice cyclist, got on her bike and rode an average of 10 miles a day. She even cycled home after a full day’s work at Westville House, up into the Yorkshire Dales, via Burnsall and Grassington.

Helen said: “I am not a great cyclist...in fact I’m much happier shopping for shoes with fabulous heels but sometimes things happen which make you want to make a difference. “My mum died earlier this year; she was a gutsy Yorkshire lady who would smile at the thought of me on a bike minus my lipstick! So, along with my sister Rachel, we wanted to raise some money to help cancer disappear. I’m delighted that we’ve achieved our goal and I know mum would be very proud.”

She completed the 300-mile challenge on September 30 and although it was extremely tough, the beautiful scenery on her travels and the cake pit-stops kept her and her sister going.

If you would to read more about Helen’s Cancer Research UK Cycle 300 challenge, please visit: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/helens-cycle-300-fundraising-page-24.