Pedalling for Scouts at age 10

Bethany Ellis cycled 140 miles along the Coast to Coast route from Workington to Sunderland to raise money for her 2nd Warwick troop.

Covering up to 50 miles each day over the Bank Holiday weekend, Bethany was accompanied on two wheels by her father, Mark who has been cycling with her for most of her life.

Speaking about the fundraiser, which has already raised almost £200 to help an appeal for a new Scout building, proud mother Sarah said: “Bethany is exhausted but she really enjoyed the ride, she covered a lot of ground on each of the days.

“It was all her idea, she has been out on bikes with her father since she was three months old and has been riding on her own since she was old enough.

“It was fairly tough terrain with the hills, but nice quiet roads and greenways,it is a great way to see the country.

“She had a couple of close interactions with the ground so far but made steady progress and appreciates all the support she received.

“Knowing her ride was raising funds for her Scout pack kept Bethany going on the worst of the hills.

“She has now cycled the length and breadth of the UK and has a lot more planned for the future.”

Last year Bethany and her dad Mark Ellis completed a tandem ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats where they raised around £4,500 for cancer charities.

This time around, her fundraising efforts will contribute to a new Scout headquarters for her Warwick Group, as well as contribute to completion of the youngster’s cycling badge.

And Bethany, who is a member of a cycling group in Stratford, is already planning her next challenge as she hopes to complete a ride across four European countries next summer.

The home-schooled pupil hopes to tackle the River Rhine from ‘Source to Sea’ in a 765-mile ride across Switzerland, Germany, France and Holland.

Donate online to help her Scout hut fundraising drive at www.givey.com/c/dc49ccf