Ulverston girl Alice is so proud of team cycling length of Britain
Last updated at 18:01, Wednesday, 25 April 2012
THE official launch of a charity set up by a teenager with cancer was marked as a troop of fundraising cyclists rode into her home town.
“Team Alice” was welcomed by rapturous applause and bright sunshine as the group cycled into Ulverston yesterday, having travelled from Warrington on day five of their journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats.
The group is raising money for Alice’s Escapes, set up by the family and friends of 16-year-old Alice Pyne, who has Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
The charity will organise holidays and treats in the Lake District for the families of seriously ill children.
Alice, of Rake Lane, Ulverston, said: “I want the charity to give children time with their families, because it’s really important – you need that.”
Team Alice rode into Ulverston to a hero’s welcome, accompanied to Booth’s supermarket by a police escort and cheered on by the crowds lining the road.
They were followed in by Alice, who had travelled by car to follow some of the day’s route.
Afterwards, joined by her friend Megan Raine, 16, whose dad Ashley is one of the cyclists, Alice said: “It was amazing seeing the cyclists coming in, and it’s amazing what they’re doing.
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to them all. I’m really, really proud of them all for doing it, because it is such a long way.”
After the cyclists arrived, Barrow and Furness MP, John Woodcock, addressed the crowds.
He said he was honoured to be able to launch the charity on behalf of the inspirational but unassuming young woman who stood next to him smiling shyly throughout.
Mr Woodcock, who will join the Team Alice entrants into this year’s Keswick to Barrow challenge, said: “Anyone who comes into contact with Alice sees what a force of nature this young woman is, supported by an absolutely incredible family and the most dedicated team of friends and supporters, frankly, I have ever seen.”
Tomorrow, Team Alice will cross the border, their next stop being Moffatt, in Scotland.
Cyclist Sonja Foster said the thought of the cause their fundraising will support is spurring them all on.
She said: “It’s such a worthy charity, and Alice is just an amazing young lady.”
To find out more about Alice’s Escapes, visit www.alices-escapes.co.uk
First published at 13:05, Wednesday, 25 April 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
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Please can you tell me if this there is any special event going 1st May This year. Thank You.
Stephen HarrisonPosted by Strephen Nigel Harrison on 26 April 2012 at 11:39