Harrogate girl rides 153 miles in memory of grandma

A 12-year-old girl is challenging herself to a coast to coast cycle ride, a total of 135 miles, in memory of her grandma.
12-year-old Amy Warrington who is riding 135 miles in memory of her grandma and in support of Cancer Research. (S)12-year-old Amy Warrington who is riding 135 miles in memory of her grandma and in support of Cancer Research. (S)
12-year-old Amy Warrington who is riding 135 miles in memory of her grandma and in support of Cancer Research. (S)

Amy Warrington’s grandma, Margaret Hutchinson, died of pancreatic cancer in 2012, just three weeks after she was diagnosed.

Now Amy is getting on her bike to cycle from Morecambe Bay to Robin Hood’s Bay to raise money for Cancer Research.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Her dad Adrian said: “One day she asked me how long it would take me to ride 100 miles so I asked her why and she said she’d like to do a sponsored bike ride to raise money so they can find a cure for cancer quicker so no-one else has to lose their grandma.

“To support her I bought a road bike and decided to push her little legs a bit further and do the coast to coast, which will be about 135 miles.”

Adrian and his wife Christine said they are very proud of their little girl, who has been determined in her training, completing a 50 mile ride in her last session.

Amy has been riding on fairly flat roads around Bishop Monkton, Ripon, Wetherby, and Tadcaster for some time in preparation for the ride.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, she tore a tendon in her foot while doing long jump at school which took months to heal.

Returning to her bike for the past three months, Amy has now hit the road again, heading out to Kirkby Overblow, Hampsthwaite, Ripley, and Killinghall before returning home to Harrogate.

Adrian said: “Amy has always enjoyed riding her bike from an early age but she started training several months ago, doing very well and building up to her maximum ride length.

“She is a very strong little rider who doesn’t whimper or whine at any hill, she just gets on with it and enjoys herself.

“Amy doesn’t seem to be nervous at all and neither am I.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The ride itself will take place over three days starting on Saturday, August 30, and Amy has currently raised just over £500 in her just giving account.

Adrian chose the coast to coast route as he has ridden it twice already and knows what his daughter can expect.

Last year, Adrian toured the chosen track last year with a friend and they stayed in tents with all their gear.

This time, he said, he will be staying in bed and breakfasts with Amy unencumbered on her road bike while her dad carries all the clothes, food, and spare inner tubes just in preparation for every eventuality.

Support Amy at www.justgiving.com/Amy-Adie-Warrington