Harpenden cyclist embarks on London to Brighton bike ride in memory of her father

Losing her beloved father Roger prompted keen cyclist Jenny Bracey Anderson to take on a gruelling bike ride to raise money in his memory.

With two friends Jenny, 47, of Beeching Close, Harpenden, took part in the 54-mile long London to Brighton bike ride in June.

Between them Jenny, Heather Wright and Sandra Harnett raised £1.500 for the British Heart Foundation and Jenny also raised an additional sum of nearly £500 for her father Roger’s Make A Wish Foundation.

Lifelong Harpenden resident Roger died last December aged 76 after devoting much of his life to fundraising for charity through the various organisations he was involved with in the town.

His widow Irene said that Jenny had taken her father’s death very hard and when the opportunity arose to raise money in his memory, she took it.

She explained that Jenny knew Sandra, who runs Sandra Harnett Fitness in the town, and she had gone to her friend’s classes when she was trying to lose weight.

Jenny went on to shed 10 stone while Heather, a lifelong friend, lost eight stone. With Sandra, who had lost seven stone prior to setting up her fitness venture, they took up recreational cycling as a way of keeping fit.

Irene said: “The cycling came about because Jenny wanted extra exercise and she borrowed my bike. Then she decided to get a better bike and someone said she should take part in the London to Brighton.”

The trio did not specifically train for the charity ride but had been regularly cycling 10 to 15 miles.

Irene thanked everyone who had sponsored the trio and added: “We were so thrilled for them and very proud of them all.”