24-hour non-stop cycle challenge sees Horsham woman raise thousands from her living room

Sophie Bankes took to her static bike on Friday, May 1, at 9am and has raised more than £3,500 to be split between Mind and NHS Charities Together.

The 29-year-old said: “I’m completely overhelmed with all the support I received during my 24-hour bike ride.

“All the donations and messages I received really did spur me on to keep going and push through the hard parts. There were some very low points but so, so many highs and lots of laughs.”

Sophie was originally set to take on the London Marathon nd had planned to cycle to Bruges in 24 hours this summer, but both had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

After moving back in with her parents at the beginning of the lockdown, she wanted to set herself a challenge that would push her to her limit.

She said: “I climbed 14,000ft of elevation and burnt 9,000 calories.

“I ate and drank while I was on the bike, and only got off to go to the toilet. When I did get off the bike, the clock would stop.

“I gave video updates every hour via my Instagram channel and have saved these on my profile – @SophieBankes. Friends joined me via Zoom from across the world to support me, and a few even got on their bikes and rode ‘alongside’ me for hour stints.

“My parents were a great support team and stayed up with me during the challenge, as well as encouraging me to keep my sprits up as I was recently furloughed.”

Sophie’s initial target was to raise £1,000 but she reached this before the challenge even started, and the total currently stands at £3,758.75.

She said: “Both charities mean an awful lot to me and I am just grateful I could put my body to good use to raise such an amazing amount of money.”

To donate, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=SophieBankes1&pageUrl=1

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