I am Dr Sonali Shah from the School of Medicine University of Nottingham, doing research with a particular focus on healthcare inequalities for people with cerebral palsy (CP). At the start of the year I decided to embark on a 10K gym bike ride - firstly to raise money for Alzheimer's as my father in-law now lives with it, and it's very horrible to see this highly clever, caring and witty man deteriorate in mind and body!

Secondly, having CP myself, it's important to keep fit and build up my strength and stamina, so exercising for a worthwhile cause to help with Alzheimer's prevention seemed like a double win. So, with the support of my trainer, Nick Lee and other coaches at David Ross, I am doing a 10K gym bike challenge on 18th June at 2pm in the David Ross gym at the University of Nottingham. We were not sure I could do 10K at the beginning but training three times a week, encouragement from Nick, my family and friends and my sponsors has made the difference! I also created a motivational soundtrack with songs chosen my sponsors.

Originally I could not use the gym bike as the handle bars were too low, but the was solved by a slim long piece of wood, sanded by my husband.