A LECTURER who lives in Evesham will be taking on a 400km six-day cycling challenge in Kenya later this year to raise money in memory of her sister who died from ovarian cancer.

Sara Greedy's sister Nicola Williams had the disease twice in two and a half years before she passed away six years ago.

Sara, who lives in Evesham with her husband Clive, is now hoping to raise money for the charities Breast Cancer Now, Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust, and Ovarian Cancer Action when she travels to Kenya in October with her friend to take on the challenge.

"As well as my sister Nikki, I’ve had a few friends and colleagues who have had cancer, and there are three charities that benefit from what we're going to do," said Sara.

Sara, 57, and her friend will be joining the Women v Cancer Cycle in Kenya, where she will cycle through the land for six days, in aid of people affected by breast, ovarian and cervical cancers.

She said:"My friend, from the Isle of Wight where we used to live, messaged me saying she might need my help in fundraising and then she told me she wanted to do this challenge in Kenya, so I went over there for a week and popped in to see her and I just signed up to do it - I'd never even ridden a bike so I had to learn."

Sara's sister Nikki died on her 55th birthday in 2015.

"It was a really tough time because she lived around the corner from us on the Isle of Wight and I cared for her," said Sara.

"I look at the challenge that she had, having ovarian cancer twice, and the horrible reactions she had to face through the chemotherapy.

"We were fortunate enough last year in August when lockdown was lifted the whole family were able to get together and celebrate what would have been her 60th birthday, and for me, this challenge, when I think about what she had to face, and what I'm doing is obviously nothing in comparison, but hopefully it will help to raise money for the charities.

"She was a very indepedent strong woman and was just really inspirational in the way she dealt with it, so I just hope she would be looking down on me doing this challenge and saying 'go on girl'."

Sara, an early years lecturer at Stratford-upon-Avon College, will start training for the challenge on April 3.

"I've never been anywhere like Kenya – it’s going to be a massive challenge, I've also got asthma and the challenge is in the middle of Kenya's summer dry season, so I’m not underestimating it at all.

"The money goes to the three charities as well as a Kenyan cancer charity, so we're supporting a local cause while we're out there as well, and we visit the Kenyan cancer charity on our last day and an elephant orphanage, which will be my reward!

"I'm keen to raise as much as I can because it's not just women who get breast cancer but men as well, so it's important we try and get as much research and find something that might cure people eventually."

In total, the Women v Cancer Cycle challenges in Kenya aim to raise £3 million for the three charities, and Sara said she is hoping to raise around £4,000 herself.

To donate, go to: justgiving.com/fundraising/s-greedy