Birmingham gran, 82, is set to break a world record - here’s how

An 82-year-old gran is set to break a world record when she becomes the oldest ever woman to cycle the length of Great Britain.

Gina Harris is riding from Land’s End, in Cornwall, to John O’Groats, in Scotland, over the space of 27 days to raise thousands of pounds for domestic abuse charities.

The grandmother-of-five is due to set off on May 27 and aims to complete the 960 mile (1,540km) journey on June 23.

The former photographer only began cycling when she turned 50 and has previously ridden around parts of Europe and the US.

She was inspired by 87-year-old Laurence Brophy, the oldest man to have successfully completed the ‘end-to-end’ challenge in 2019.

Mavis Paterson, from Dumfries and Galloway, in Scotland, is currently the oldest woman to complete the gruelling feat, at the age of 81.

What has Gina said about the challenge?

Mrs Harris, said: “I will be riding my old steel touring bike and carrying my luggage, which has a combined weight of more than 30kg, so a lot of hard work and practice begins now.

“I have previously travelled extensively by bicycle around Europe and across America, so it will not be the first long cycle journey I have ever made, but it will certainly be my last big one.”

Mrs Harris, of Birmingham, joined Cycling UK aged 50, and says she hopes the achievement will show how important physical wellbeing was for women at any age.

The mum-of-two is embarking on her mammoth journey to support two women’s domestic abuse charities, Women’s Aid and Refuge.

Alan Head, former secretary of Cycling UK’s Redditch & Bromsgrove group, added: “Gina Harris has cycled with Cycling UK for many years.

“We wish her all the best in her attempt to raise money for Women’s Aid and Refuge by cycling the length of Britain.

“There are constant stories of shocking abuse and cruelty to women and their children and because public services are insufficiently funded to help people in this predicament, the work of charities is vitally important.”

Louise Firth, director of fundraising and communications at Refuge said: “People taking on incredible challenges makes such a difference to our work at Refuge, enabling us to reach and support more women and children impacted by domestic abuse.

“We are thrilled to hear about Gina’s impressive upcoming journey cycling the length of the UK from the southwest to the very north east, we’ll be wishing her the best every step of the way.”

Faye Connelly, fundraising manager at Women’s Aid, said: “We are so grateful to Gina for her incredible support for Women’s Aid, and we want to say a huge thank you to her for taking on this extraordinary challenge for the charity.

“Gina’s determination to raise as much as she can helps us reach even more survivors of domestic abuse, in need of our vital support.”

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