#RiasRiders will now be taking part in this annual cycle event in memory of Ria.

On Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th May a group of us will be cycling 145 miles from Loughborough University to Brentwood in Essex 🚲!

We will be raising money for Brain Tumour Research in memory of our close friend and team mate Ria who battled with a Glioblastoma Grade 4 Brain Tumour for 2 years 7 months.

Ria fought tirelessly throughout her journey but the prognosis for this stage of brain tumour is very poor. Ria underwent 2 major brain surgeries to try and remove the tumours, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and private immunotherapy in Germany amongst trying other treatments before it took her life way too young in August 21 at age 25.

Ria studied at Loughborough Univeristy gaining a first class honours degree and she also represented the women’s football team. Ria loved her uni experience so we thought this would be a memorable start point.  We will finish our challenge in Essex at Herongate where Ria was laid to rest so we can update her on all the stories / mishaps that happen throughout the challenge!

Brain tumour research receives less than 1% of national funding despite accounting for most occurrences of cancer in the under 40's and we want to play our part to change this awful stat.

The cycle team includes team mates: Sofie Armitage, Sacha Brinkley, Amy Longhurst, Toni Smith, Alice Hassall, Aoife Hurley, Ellie Betteridge, Grace Pearson, Lily Tyrimos, Chlo Gough, Nikki Russell, Carol Melvin, Kaz Melvin, Paul Hughes and Rich Gough!

Thank you for reading our story and for your kind donations! We will be sure to keep you updated on our ride! xxx

Raising4Ria has been set up as a Brain Tumour Research Fundraising Group by Ria's family to help raise as much money as they possibly can to help fund brain cancer research.