Nurse is riding the Tour De France for Cure Leukemia for a very special reason

Jackie Fowler is a nurse who is currently going through intense training to take on the Tour De France later this year in aid of the Birmingham-based charity Cure Leukemia.

She is taking on the tough challenge in memory of her beloved toddler son, Simon, who died from a rare condition called aplastic anaemia.

We speak to Jackie and her trainer Mike Hopkins to find out how the training is going ahead of the event - which runs from Friday 24 June to Sunday 17 July 202 - and why the charity means so much to her.

You can see her story in the video at the top of this story - or read on below. We’ve included details of how you can sponsor Jackie at the bottom.

Jackie Fowley says: “So, last year, I had a significant birthday, I reached the young age of 60. And to celebrate that, I decided to undertake this challenge.

“We’re doing this ride for Cure Leukaemia. There’s 18 of us in the team and we want to raise a million pounds for Cure Leukemia. So individually, I’ve got a target of £30,000. I’m up to almost £6500 and I’m really grateful for all that money.

“My training involves a lot of outdoor riding. It also involves some gym work - I’m getting stronger. And also, riding - that is the main thing. I’m being trained and advised by Mike Hopkins, who is the principal at South & City College to do this.”

“A while ago I had a son - Simon - he was three and he was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia, which is bone marrow failure. He sadly didn’t make it - he spent six months at the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham and needed a bone marrow transplant.

“I’m doing the Tour de France for him and other children and other adults that Cure Leukaemia care for. We want to raise money for this great cause to help people have a chance when other treatments have failed.

“We’re very lucky to have Cure Leukaemia in Birmingham”

Mike Hopkins, Principal of South & City College says: “Jackie’s a good friend and somebody I trained with. We’re in the same club together. So we ride together, we train together.

“We decided that we’d be part of the Tour de France ride, a week ahead of the race with Jeff Thomas, the ex-England footballer - who’s done it before - to raise a million pounds of Cure Leukaemia.”

Can I sponsor Jackie?

Jackie has set up a Just Giving page with details of her challenge and how to sponsor her.

You can access the page here: Just Giving Jackie Fowler

You can also follow her progress on Twitter @jrfowler61

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