Rebecca cycles to Paris to save lives
Last updated at 10:03, Friday, 04 September 2009
FOLLOWING her battle with a killer disease six years ago, a student from Wark decided to give something back to the Meningitis Research Foundation.
So 25-year-old Rebecca Verrill has chosen to endure a 300-mile cycle ride from London to Paris, starting tomorrow, to raise money for the research charity.
Rebecca was struck down with the often fatal disease in 2003 when she was a first year student at Bristol University.
She describes falling ill as one of the most traumatic experiences of her life.
“I was told I slipped into a coma,” said Rebecca. “It was awful because I was at university and my parents were so far away.
“I couldn’t believe I was spending my first term in bed.”
Rebecca spent weeks in intensive care, but eventually pulled round, even though in 2003 the disease was the most common form of infectious death in young people.
She will tackle the bike ride with one of her friends, and the pair have organised the trip entirely on their own.
“We haven’t arranged the trip via a proper organisation,” she said. “We’ll navigate our way to Paris ourselves, which could be interesting!”
They have given themselves four days to complete the ride, starting at Westminster and going via Calais. When they finish the trip in Paris the pair will celebrate with traditional French cuisine and a bottle of champagne.
Rebecca added: “We wanted a challenge but we’re not mad keen cyclists. It’s kept me fit and made me realise, since having meningitis, that you have to live life where possible.”
If you would like to sponsor Rebecca you can still do so at www.justgiving.com/rebeccaverrill.
First published at 09:46, Friday, 04 September 2009
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk
