Local cycle instructor to cycle 1,175km in 9 days for Cure Leukaemia
Michelle Sharland has already raised over £17,000 for the charity
A Surrey cycle coach has raised over £17,000 as she prepares to cycle nearly 1,200km in 9 days
Michelle Sharland from West Horsley is leading a team which will complete the women's tour de France route in 9 days this July, all while raising money for Cure Leukaemia
Michelle and the team of 23 female amateur cyclists will cycle a total of 1,175 kilometres and climb an immense 18,795 metres, tackling some of cycling’s most iconic and demanding ascents, including Mont Ventoux and Col d’Èze.
The team will complete the route exactly one day ahead of the Tour de France Femmes at the end of July and the start of August
Michelle told us about why Cure Leukaemia was so close to her heart
"So it's to fund the Atticus Project, which is accelerating trials in children undergoing stem cell transplants
My career as an occupational therapist was always with children. So I was like, oh, this is amazing, you know, giving children back a life and actually, and then I went to Great Ormond Street and I met the professor, met the staff, went into the ward
I actually feel quite emotional about it because it is literally saving children's lives. It's giving them an opportunity."
Michelle told us the support she has already received has blown her away
"Just the most phenomenal amount of people just have come forward, rallied, supported me.
I am feeling so, so loved and supported. And, you know, and the cause is just amazing. So I am absolutely and utterly blown away. I never in a million years expected this to happen. Not at all."
The goal for the fundraiser was initially £10,000 however Michelle told us she is now hopeful it can hit £20,000 before the trip.
Michelle says she's expecting there to be extremely tough moments, however she says it'll be the memories of Great Ormond Street that get her through
"No doubt there's going to be dark days. Every day is 100 miles. There's on average 2,300 metres of climbing per day.
It's very, very hilly. I'm not a natural climber. I much prefer going fast on the flat.
So I know for a fact that when I'm really thinking, oh, I've actually had enough, you know, can I just get in the van? I'm just going to put myself back in that ward, back with those staff that are so positive and I'm going to put that positive energy into the next pedal stroke."