African Cycle Challenge

A Worcester property expert made an emotional journey across the finishing line after discovering she was one of around 25% of her group to complete a monumental cycling challenge in Africa.

Charlotte Fullard, chartered surveyor of Halls Commercial, hadn’t ridden a bike for years but was one of just a few people out of a group of 63 to complete the whole of the Women v Cancer cycling event. The challenge saw Charlotte push herself to the limit as she rode 400 kilometres across the Kenyan landscape to raise funds for victims of breast, cervical and ovarian cancer.

The five-day event was organised by Action for Charity. Accompanying Charlotte were hundreds of women including celebrities such as Aggie MacKenzie of ‘How Clean is your House’ fame. Also taking part in one of the rides was Dawn Porter, the writer and television presenter renowned for tackling issues from size zero and childbirth, and the realities of struggling with breast cancer in the hard hitting documentary ‘My Breasts Could Kill Me’.

Charlotte, who lives and works in Worcester, said: “The whole experience was amazing. I met so many different women from all over the country who each had their own reasons for taking part.

“Day one of cycling in Nyeri was a complete shock to the system! I hadn’t done as much terrain training as I maybe should have, so the hill climbs were very challenging. I didn’t think I could push myself that far, but it just goes to show what can be achieved with a supportive team and sheer determination to succeed.”

As Charlotte crossed the finish line in Kisumu, she was overwhelmed with emotion. “I couldn’t actually believe I had done it, especially the gold hill challenge, which was more like a mountain climb! I was brought to tears when the scale of my achievement actually dawned on me.”

Charlotte, who received support from friends, colleagues at Halls Commercial and members of the local Worcester business community, raised a total of £5,280. The collective total for all five groups taking part in the challenge is in excess of £1.6 million. All proceeds will be split equally between Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, and Ovarian Cancer Action.  Some funds will also go to the Faraja Project, a cancer charity in Kenya.

“I would encourage everyone to take part in something like this,” Charlotte added. “The camaraderie between the team really spurs you on and the sense of achievement afterwards is overwhelming. We’ve already signed up for another challenge – Nightrider 2012, a 100km cycle through London at night – just to keep us ticking over!”