Long way up Pushing the boundaries for record bid
PARALYMPIAN Mel Nicholls is encouraging businesses to back an exciting new event – a week ahead of an incredible world record bid.
From next Thursday, the inspirational athlete from Tewkesbury plans to hand cycle 874 miles from Land’s End to John O’groats in just nine days.
She was in Cheltenham to talk about her amazing challenge and a street velodrome which is coming to the town this summer.
It is all part of a campaign by Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity to raise £1.2 million.
Funds from the event on July 12 will go towards buying new CT scanners and mobile digital X-ray machines for Cheltenham General and Gloucestershire Royal hospitals.
Around 10 per cent of the county’s population need the use of the technology each year.
She said: “The street velodrome challenge has fantastic appeal and will benefit so many, from newborn babies to cancer patients who require scans.
“Cycling is who I am and it gives everyone the chance to get involved.
“I always try and encourage as many people to try it as possible, it is such an accessible sport.
“This summer the event will bring people together while raising vital funds and awareness.”
The record for the marathon hand cycle stands at just under 11 days.
Nicholls hopes to power through around 100 miles a day, accompanied by a support team including performance therapist Paula Clayton and Dr Stephen Draper from Hartpury University.
The epic trip took nine months to plan for the 2015 World Athletics Championships silver medallist.
A series of strokes left her without the full use of her left arm and leg, which means her right arm will be doing much of the work.
She plans to start at 4am every day on the cycle, positioned 4in off the ground.
She said: “I’m definitely feeling the nerves now, I just want to get started.
“I could be on the bike 12 hours a day. I know it’s going to be tough.
“This was something I thought about when I was in hospital in Cheltenham for a long time.
“It has been an idea that has been building for years and now it’s time to turn it into reality.”
The velodrome challenge is backed by Brewin Dolphin.
Paul Nurden, the company’s divisional director and head of office in Cheltenham, said: “On the day we went public with the appeal my mother had a CT scan, three days later I had one.
“The speed of these machines is absolutely phenomenal. The importance of them to the local community cannot be stressed enough.
“The faster the diagnosis, hopefully the better the outcome for people.
“The CT scanner campaign can ultimately help everybody.”
The street velodrome is open to teams of four and places are already going fast, as businesses pledge their support.
Kate Green, director of fundraising at Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity, said: “We hope the event is going to be hugely successful.
“Cycling is so good for health and wellbeing and it’s very popular. Being able to do something fun and unique while raising money will be wonderful.
“CT scanners touch on everyone’s lives, whether you’re young or old. It’s the start of diagnosing what is wrong with someone and getting them on the road to recovery.”
Only 16 teams can take part in the event on the Promenade.
Email Karen Organ at karen.organ@ nhs.net for an application pack by June 30.