Cancer survivor Donna to complete charity bike ride

Donna Compton, who lives in Wymeswold, was diagnosed with cancer in May 2015 and has gone through two operations, six rounds of chemotherapy and three weeks of radiotherapy, but is determined to complete the 100 kilometre ride for Breast Cancer Care, the charity she says supported her through her treatment.

Donna said: “Breast Cancer Care was there for me from day one with vital resource and support from being diagnosed through to treatment.

“Not only is this challenge helping me to keep positive and bring my fitness back, I’m also helping to raise funds for a charity close to my heart, helping other ladies who are newly diagnosed and continuing treatment.”

Donna’s friend Ann Cairns will be joining her on the ride. Ann spotted the challenge on social media and wanted to find some way of keeping Donna positive.

She said: “Donna is a keen cyclist and having lost my own father to cancer 25 years ago I knew how important that positivity and having a reason to fight the disease was.”

Ann also raised funds for Macmillan by ‘Braving the Shave,’ supporting Donna when she started to lose her hair.

Ann added: “Losing her hair was the one really hard hurdle for Donna. Other people’s reactions can be difficult when you have no hair. People don’t know what to say or where to look.

“I wanted to make the problem feel smaller for Donna by sharing the situation with her.”

The friends will cycle through London on May 28 past famous landmarks such as Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace, all in aid of Breast Cancer Care, Jo’s Cervical Trust and Ovarian Cancer Action.

On Saturday, the pair will be taking their bikes to Melton’s Sainsbury’s store to fundraise throughout the day for the event.

l To sponsor the girls visit their JustGiving pages; https://www.justgiving.com/Donna-Compton or https://www.justgiving.com/Ann-Cairns

For details about Women V Cancer Ride the Night event visit www.ridethenight.co.uk/