​Wirral fundraiser swaps ice cream bike for 350km cycling challenge

Angie Corlett, from Little Sutton, is swapping her ice cream bike business for a gruelling 350km cycling challenge to raise vital funds for the Stroke Association.

Angie, 51 of Angie’s Ice Cream Bike, will get in the saddle for the week long Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Crater Cycle on Friday 14 October. The 350km challenge will see Angie cycle the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, through the Tarangire and on to Lake Manyara National Parks. She’ll then bike through Maasai villages to eventually finish at the UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Ngorongoro Crater Reserve.

A mother of four, Angie was inspired to raise money for the Stroke Association after several family members had strokes, including her dad, grandad, father-in-law and brother.

In the lead up to the challenge, Angie has organised a series of fundraising events including a race night at the local British legion, which raised over £3,000. She has also organised sponsored dinner parties, cakes sales and a garden party at home where guests were encouraged to donate. To date she has raised over £4,000 for the Stroke Association.

Angie said: “I wanted to raise money for the Stroke Association after so many of my family members were affected by strokes, and were helped by the charity. I knew I wanted a real challenge and cycling isn't my preferred exercise. I go to spinning classes a couple of times a week, I nip to the local shop on my lovely Pashley Poppy, and my ice cream bike is one I never get to ride, so cycling 350km in Africa won't come naturally. But this is something I really want to do for everyone who has been affected by stroke.

“I’ve now been trying to cycle every day. My husband Graeme is a cyclist so he has also been helping me with my training. It’s daunting, but I’m excited and really ready to take on the challenge. I’ve been overwhelmed with the sponsorship and donations so far, and it’s really spurred me on.”

Laura McMullin, Regional Fundraiser at the Stroke Association, said: ‘We’ll be cheering Angie on every step of the way as she takes on this extremely demanding challenge. With the help of people like Angie, the Stroke Association can continue to support stroke survivors and their families across the North West, and together we can conquer stroke.”

To sponsor Angie, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AngieCorlett

The charity provides an Information, Advice and Support Service and Communication Support in the Wirral, in partnership with Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group. For more information about stroke, ring the Helpline on 0303 30 33 100 or visit www.stroke.org.uk.