Seaford cyclist's massive South American trip

Jayne Spencer, 55, travelled to Chile’s capital, Santiago, yesterday (Tuesday, February 9) for her solo cycle challenge in aid of Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice services.

She will cycle the Carretera Austral, Chile’s Route 7, and hopes to finish at the National Park of Torres del Paine, where she intends to kayak around the glaciers.

She hopes to complete the challenge, which she has self-funded, in 21 days.

So far, Jayne has raised more than £900 of her £2,000 target through her JustGiving page and is asking anybody who can support her to give what they can to help the children the charity cares for.

She said: “As well as a personal challenge I decided to raise money for Chestnut Tree. In the past I have raised a considerable amount of money for various charities. I like to help a variety of causes.

“This time I chose Chestnut Tree – not because I have benefited from the charity, or even know anyone who has – but because I am lucky enough to have two healthy children.

“I can imagine how terrible it must be to watch your child suffer knowing their life was going to be cut short. So any help to parents and children during that traumatic time seems to me to be a most worthwhile cause.”

For much of the trip Jayne will camp in the wild and cook on an open fire. She will carry her kit in panniers and, as she is cycling solo, will need to deal with any challenges, such as maintaining her bike, and the changeable weather on her own.

On why she decided to do this particular challenge, she said: “I have slowly been working my way around the world; in the last few years I have done some amazing things in the northern part of South America and very much want to see the south.

“At first I was going to join an organised bike trip in the area, but when I saw the price and that the trip was only a fraction of what I wanted to see, it seemed to make sense to push myself that little bit more and go it on my own, something that deep down I’ve wanted to do for years.

“I love challenging myself but in the past there has always been someone more experienced there, so if the going got tough I didn’t have to make the final decision. On this trip it will be down to me.”

To make a donation, visit Jayne’s JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/Jaynespencer1

Chestnut Tree House provides specialist care services to 300 children and teenagers with life-shortening conditions in East Sussex, West Sussex and South Hampshire.

The charity is currently running its Hands Up! campaign, which aims to double the number of children it cares for in East Sussex.