INTREPID 12-year-old friends from Rugby are preparing to cycle 250 miles from London to Paris to raise funds for a disability charity close to their hearts.
Iris Williams and Esmae Pinnock will set off on their adventure on Monday (June 29) in honour of Iris’s big sister Mia, 19, who has cerebral palsy and is blind.
They aim to cover the route in just five days and raise thousands of pounds for Sense, which has supported Mia since she was three.
Soon after the determined duo arrive in Paris, Mia, who has monthly home sessions with a Sense specialist, will participate in a cycling challenge of her own – the ‘Tour De Sense’, a fully-inclusive three-week cycling event which launches on Saturday July 4.
Iris and Esmae will ride from the London Eye to Newhaven, catch a ferry to Dieppe, and pedal on through northern France to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Iris’s mum, primary school teacher Fran Condry, 43, will ride alongside the girls while Iris’s grandad, retired bishop Ed Condry, 73, who has twice cycled from London to Paris to fundraise for Sense, will follow by car as their support driver and puncture mender.
Experienced cyclist and family friend Tina Downie, 57, will also join the cycling group.
Iris said: “It’s really good to be doing this with Esmae because we will keep each other company on the road and she’s very motivating.
“We’ve been friends since we were three and went to primary school together. Now we’re in year seven at different secondary schools but we still meet up and go to athletics club together.”
The duo have been training hard for the ride, having never done anything like this before.
Iris added: “When we did our first 40-mile training ride, it wasn’t too bad and we both thought we could cycle another 40 or 50 miles the next day, so we think London to Paris is possible.
“There’s always the worry of getting a puncture though, or being late for the ferry. Luckily, we have got my grandpa coming with us. He’s done the ride we’re doing twice before and can definitely repair a puncture!”
Esmae said she was excited to take on the challenge.
She added: “Our families are close and I see how Sense supports Mia so I’m very happy we’re fundraising for the charity. My friends think it’s really good we’re doing this – and they also think we’re crazy.
“Obviously, it’s going to be a really hard thing to do; I’ve never done a bike ride like this before. But we’ve been training hard, strength training in the gym every Monday and going for 50 to 60 mile cycle rides on the weekend.
“On top of that, I play for two football teams and do athletics, so I feel fit and ready.”
Louis Wickett-Padgham, Deputy Head of Sense Active, said he was delighted the girls would be fund-raising for the charity.
He added: “The cycle ride that Iris and Esmae are planning is incredible. The money they raise will enable more disabled people with complex needs to be active and enjoy life to the full.
“We’re also really pleased that Mia and the whole Sense community will be able to take part in our own cycling challenge, Tour De Sense.
“It’s going to be a huge cycling summer for Sense and we can’t wait to get started.”
Visit www.justgiving.com/page/toparis to sponsor Iris and Esmae.
