Come September, I and my good friend and colleague Debby Shorley will be getting on our bikes and heading out to the Tear Drop Island to show our support for an amazing cause. Women for Women, in partnership with Genesis Research Trust, funds ground-breaking medical research to support the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of devastating conditions affecting women and babies.

This charity is very close to our hearts – especially since the research is carried out at the Wolfson and Weston Research Institute for Family Health at Imperial College London. I’m sure all who read this page can imagine the desperation and grief of parents who lose a baby, and the life-defining impact that a disabled or seriously ill child has on any family.

The facts speak for themselves:

In the UK

·         1 in 18 babies Is born prematurely – barely better than in the1930s.

·         1 in 4 babies is miscarried.

·         1 in 174 babies is stillborn.

·         4,370 women die of ovarian cancer every year.

·         1 in 10 women suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Women for Women cycle rides take place all over the world and have so far raised almost £4 million to help find the causes and cures for a multitude of conditions which affect women and their babies, including miscarriage, premature birth, brain damage, genetic diseases and cancer.

In spite of the breathtaking scenery of the Sri Lankan countryside, this challenge is no easy ride… Travelling on a round trip from Columbo, we will be covering an area of approximately 390km in total, and often cycling around 80km a day. We will have to contend with rolling hills, rocky mountains and even the odd leopard and elephant – a daunting task I think you’ll agree!

Debby and I need to raise at least £7,000 between us so we really need your help! Please dig deep and sponsor us to take part in this amazing adventure by visiting our Just Givingpage. In return, we’d be more than willing to proudly wear your logo on our travels. And for more information about this fantastic charity and the work it does, check the website out!

Thank you in advance for your generous donations,

Jane & Debby.