Dedworth cyclist gears up for mammoth challenge in aid of British Paralympians

As the Rio Paralympics draws ever closer, one cyclist from Dedworth is on a mission to raise as much as she can to support Britain’s disabled athletes.

Dedworth resident Emily Mills is gearing up to take on Deloitte’s Ride Across Britain challenge in September which will see her attempt to cycle from Lands End to John O'Groat's in just nine days.

The 29-year-old told the Express she was inspired to take on the 960-mile ride after witnessing the sporting heroics of the world’s disabled athletes at London’s 2012 Paralympic Games.

Emily said: “I think Paralympics 2012 really changed our perceptions of and for disabled people.

“The shining moment for me was when I went to Brands Hatch and watched the Italian Paralympic cyclist Alex Zanardi.

“He worked so hard to get around the track and it just completely blew my mind away.”

Ex Formula One driver Zanardi lost both his legs following a horror car crash in 2001.

Emily now wants to raise £2,000 for the British Paralympic Association which will then be used to give disabled athletes the support they need to succeed on the world stage.

She added: “It’s not just about the Paralympians now, it’s about encouraging the next generation that they can achieve dreams they might not even know they have yet.”  

Emily, who works as a sales account manager for confectionery company Mondelez, has been training for the gruelling event by cycling twice a week from Dedworth to her office in Uxbridge.

Her weekends have also been dedicated to taking on lung-busting hill climbs to prepare for the undulating route that lies ahead in September.

The 29-year-old also embarked on a 300-mile cycle from London to Paris yesterday (Wednesday) to warm up for the upcoming ride.

Visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Millsey to donate.