IT WAS a ‘challenge of a lifetime’ for Abingdon resident Elizabeth Bower who took on a 100-mile cycle ride to raise money for the children’s hospital that treated her nephew.

She rode to Malmesbury and back last month, cycling into Abingdon’s Market Place arm raised in the air in celebration as she completed the mammoth ride, – the furthest she had every ridden in one day.

Speaking about her desire to take on the fundraiser, the 40-year-old said: “I am a keen cyclist and a member of OT Cycling Club Abingdon, so a cycling challenge was an ideal way for me to fundraise.”

To help her achieve her goal, she decided to enlist the help of a local cycle coach, David Bosley, to aid her with her training.

He also offered to join the 100-mile ride, providing plenty of support and encouragement during the journey.

As a seasoned cyclist, having ridden to Paris in the past, Mr Bosley was the perfect person to spur her on.

Ms Bower said: “Although I have been cycling for four years, the furthest I had cycled was 60 miles, so I knew cycling a100 miles non-stop would be a challenge.”

She set off from Didcot at 8am on June 3, cycling into Abingdon about 4pm and said the ride went ‘really well’.

So far she has raised more than £1,200, which will go to Birmingham Children’s Hospital Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).

The specialist centre looked after her five-year-old nephew Thomas, who earlier this year underwent two open heart operations at the hospital, spending time in intensive care on each occasion.

Ms Bower said: “My challenge is nothing compared to what my nephew has been through.

“Born with a complex congenital heart condition, he has undergone four major heart operations, two of these were this year and three key-hole heart procedures at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

"He will still have to undergo further surgery in the years to come.”

She added: “I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has been involved in my nephew’s care.

“He is doing really well following his surgery and recently celebrated his fifth birthday.”

Donations can still be made via justgiving.com/fundraising/elizabeth-bower2