Helena completed 1,000-mile cycle to aid disease research

Helena Grant cycled from Land’s End to John O’Groats over 12-days this month to raise money for research into Alzheimer’s, a disease from which her father Ivan is currently suffering.

Having cycled 330 miles from London to Paris last year, Mrs Grant was no stranger to long distance bicycle rides, but preparing to the ride while worrying about her father proved to be a struggle.

Mrs Grant said: “To visit him while training and keeping fit was tough but you have to get your legs used to that movement.

“It was a struggle because my heart wasn’t in it in some respects.

“You have to be mentally and physically prepared to go into that sort of thing.”

Mrs Grant had to cycle more than 90 miles on some days of the challenge and the weather turned very wet and windy during the final stages in Scotland.

And during the journey Mrs Grant feared she would receive a phone call telling her bad news about her father’s condition.

She said: “It was a lot of hard work but a great adventure and one I will never forget.

“Watching my dad deteriorate each day is heartbreaking.

“I have set up a Justgiving page and would be grateful for any donations to help with the research into this terrible condition.” www.justgiving.com/Helena-Grant0