A nurse from Royal Preston Hospital and her partner are planning an epic 24-hour indoor bike ride to raise money for the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity.
Lizzie Coates and Aaron Denver, from Penwortham, were inspired to take on their challenge by Welsh Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas, who completed a series of three indoor 12-hour rides to match NHS shift patterns last year.
Lizzie, who works in the Emergency Department at Royal Preston Hospital, said: “Since the beginning of the pandemic, my partner Aaron and I have seen the fantastic charitable work by others and wanted to help out ourselves.
“By providing staff wellbeing packs and Christmas presents for those who have had to spend their Christmas in hospital, I have noticed that the charity has made a big difference in difficult times.
“We decided that by completing our 24-hour charity cycle, we will be able to do something positive too and make a little difference ourselves.
“Being a nurse I’m good at working 24-hours-a-day and Aaron is good at cycling - what can go wrong?”
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity raises vital funds to ensure hospitals in Preston and Chorley are equipped with the very latest in technology, enabling vital research and making patients and their families more comfortable.
Paula Wilson, Head of Charities and Fundraising at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity, said: “I’m in awe of the amazing effort Lizzie and Aaron are putting in to support the charity.
“Married to a keen cyclist myself, I know only too well that cycling around the clock is going to be tough, but I'm sure that they’ll be spurred on by knowing that all the donations they receive will make a huge difference to our patients and staff.”
Lizzie and Aaron plan to complete their challenge in mid-February. They will be riding using an online cycling platform that will allow supporters to ride with them as they tackle the challenge.
To donate to Lizzie and Aaron’s fund-raising total visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/liz-aarons-24-hour-cycle
