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Horse-riding mum of six swaps saddles for end-to-end cycle ride   After 40 years out of the bike saddle it’s been an incredible turnaround - with a personal history steeped in farm life and competition horse riding - this 53-year-old mother of six might not be the first person you would think of when it comes to the ‘Lycra Brigade’. In the last 12 months, though, through sheer willpower alone, Jackie has gone from a non-cycling novice to an experienced pedalling powerhouse who regularly completes rides of up to 80 miles.   “Cycling and horse riding have many things in common but there is one big difference - your bike doesn’t have a brain. With a horse you’re not always sure you are in complete control, but with my bike there’s never any doubt!” Jackie Randles laughs.    “I started cycling because I needed to lose weight. I’m an ex-smoker and I slowly put on the pounds after quitting smoking. Now, ever eager to push herself further, Jackie is planning to take on the ultimate British cycling challenge: 993 miles from Land’s End to John o’ Groats.   “I knew I really wanted to do something big in 2012 but I wasn’t sure what. In August I picked up my usual monthly copy of Cycling Active magazine and I saw the Bob Champion Cancer Trust’s advertisement for its end-to-end ride.   “With butterflies of excitement I logged on to the Trust’s website and took a look at the programme. I gave them a call to go through a few more details and realised that this ride suited me perfectly,” Jackie says.   “I was born into a farming family,my husband and son are farriers so I feel a sense of belonging raising money for the (ex jockey) Bob Champion Cancer Trust. My planned challenge has certainly sparked interest from our local branch of the Farriers Association and farriery suppliers.   “I’ve worked with horses for years - I competed all over the country when I was in my mid-teens until my mid-twenties and over the years I have taken on many challenges - but I’ve never taken on a challenge like this.   “I’ll be on a different sort of saddle for this ride but it’s no less exciting. Meeting people and seeing parts of the UK that I know I would never see otherwise is going to be amazing. And to be helping a charity that is close to my heart makes it even better. I just can’t wait.” Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity. So please dig deep and donate now.

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