Helen saddling up for charity ride

A mother who has suffered the heartbreak of three miscarriages is to cycle 230 miles across Cuba to raise funds to improve the health of women and babies.

Helen Dewaine is in training for the gruelling November event. But even before the challenge begins, the 38-year-old is racing against time to raise the £3,000 sponsorship needed for her to take part. Mrs Dewaine, who has two children and two step-children, is asking for residents and businesses to help her reach the target by the September deadline.

So far Mrs Dewaine from Ashwood Avenue, Wordsley, has raised around £1,000.

All cash donated will go towards groundbreaking medical research at the Wolfson and Weston Research Centre for Family Health in London.

The work will help improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a range of devastating conditions which cause miscarriage, genetic diseases, infertility, cancer and brain damage.

She said: "I have suffered three miscarriages and my brother was stillborn so it is for all the other women and families I know that have suffered the same losses, and for all the families that have premature babies and the worry that comes with that.

"So when I heard about this charity and what it was trying to raise money for I thought 'Yes I can do that, I can help to improve the health of women and babies'.

"So here I am, asking for anybody and everybody to sponsor me and help raise the much needed funds."

Mrs Dewaine's five-day challenge will take her through such places as the Bay of Pigs and the Sierra del Escambray mountains.

People can post a donation, made payable to The Institute Trust Fund, to 53 Ashwood Avenue, Wordsley, DY8 5DF or telephone her on 07789 910915 or visit www.justgiving.com/helendewaine.