Hemel woman cycles hundreds of miles to raise money for the NHS

A woman from Hemel Hempstead is taking on a sponsored turbo bike ride to raise money for the NHS.

Issy Sherwani-Keeling, 21, from Boxmoor, is hoping to cycle 761 miles in just over a week and raise £250 for NHS Charities Together - she started the challenge on Monday, April 20, and is hoping to complete it today (Tuesday).

She has already beat her target, raising £290 for NHS Charities Together, which is a collective experience representing, supporting and championing the work of the NHS' official charities.

Issy said: "I wanted to raise money for the NHS and the workers and the care workers.

"I think it is great that so many people are raising money for such an amazing cause.

"Another reason why I chose to cycle for the NHS, is that we must raise the issue of the NHS being severely underfunded and under appreciated.

"There's not a lot we can do at the minute but we can help support them by raising money.

"I have done triathlons and marathons in the past but nothing like this on a bike.

"I have been cycling at home, but the last hour I will be going out on the bike today."

Issy cycled 80 miles each day on the first four days, and then 20 miles on Friday, April 24, before increasing her daily miles to 120 miles each day at the weekend, yesterday she completed 90 miles and she will be out on her bike for the final 92 miles today.

Her dad James said: "She is raising money for the NHS Charities Together campaign, in light of the immense effort that is being put by in by NHS staff and carers to support everyone and keep us safe during the COVID-19 epidemic.

"She chose a distance of 761 miles being the distance from Boxmoor to Locarno in Switzerland where our friends live with their four children who are also in lockdown.

"As Isabella said, It is symbolic in that distance does not keep us apart and in many ways make bonds of friendship stronger, particular in times of crisis."

To make a donation visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/issy-keeling.