In August myself and 20 amateur female riders will be cycling 9 stages of the Tour des France from Geneva to Nice, covering 1,175km and 18,795m ascent – the equivalent of Mount Everest – twice. This is in aid of Cure Leukaemia – a charity which has touched every one of us and inspires this endeavour.

Last summer, my 7-year-old niece was diagnosed with leukaemia. It has been devastating for everyone and the journey to recovery is long, uncertain and extremely challenging.

In 2001, I lost a school friend to the same disease. Thanks to advances in research, treatment and fundraising over the past two decades, children facing a leukaemia diagnosis have a fighting chance that wasn’t possible before. My niece has been receiving a novel immunotherapy treatment that was unavailable on the NHS only a few years ago. The research and clinical trials are saving lives and make such a difference - giving families hope that surviving this devastating illness is possible.

Through this physical challenge, I am aiming to raise £10,000 for the ATICUS Network for Cure Leukaemia. This will give patients facing a diagnosis access to new treatments and medicines making a profound difference to their outcome and survival.

I would be so grateful of your support in reaching my £10,000 target. I have spent many, many hours in the saddle over the last 5 months, often at dawn or late at night. But climbing Everest twice on a bike is very daunting - especially as I didn't even own a road bike before committing to this challenge! But this physical and mental effort is nothing compared the weeks and weeks my niece and her family have spent in hospital fighting this illness. Thank you so much for your support, Katie

Please feel free to follow our journey, starting on the 31st July here https://www.instagram.com/theroute_cl/

Note: I am self-funding the cost of the event so every penny raised through Just Giving will go directly to Cure Leukaemia.