My name is Kelly, and my very good friend Alice and I are raising money for a cause that is very close to my heart.

In September 2015, my partner and I found out that we were expecting our first baby, and were delighted.  However, ten weeks in the ultrasound revealed any couple's worst fears - there was in fact no baby.  I had instead suffered a molar pregnancy - a rare form of miscarriage where the egg does not contain the genetic information required to form a baby - instead the placenta becomes a tumour.  Between one and three in every 1,000 pregnancies are molar. 15% of those cases develop into cancer.

After surgery to remove the tumour and a blur of tests, I was formally diagnosed with Persistent Trophoblastic Disease in December 2015, resulting in a three month course of chemotherapy, led by Charing Cross Hospital in London.  Charing Cross is one of only two centres in the UK that treat the condition. 

In May 2016, after a difficult physical and mental period for myself and my partner, my hCG levels had returned to normal.  Although I will need regular urine tests for the rest of my life, I am so grateful for the treatment and support that Charing Cross gave me, and hope to go on to have a healthy pregnancy in time.

The Cancer Treatment and Research Trust (CTRT) raises funds to support research into this and similar types of cancer, helping to detect and treat this life changing condition better and quicker. 

Alice and I are hoping to raise money for this amazing charity, to which I owe so much, by taking on this cycling challenge and would be grateful for every bit of support we receive.  Both fairly novice cyclists, this really does represent a real challenge for us, so please sponsor us if you can and help us to make a difference to people unlucky enough to need CTRT's help in the future.