19-year-old Rose, from Ripon, is taking on the challenge to raise money for Mind, a mental health charity who supported her with her own mental health struggles after losing her stepfather to suicide at 12 years old, and a close friend from school during sixth form. Mind set up bereavement counselling with Rose and gave her tools to use daily to help cope with these events.

Having already taken part in a charity challenge every year in memory of her step dad, Rose discovered Global Adventure Challenges, an organisation who set up charity challenges for those who are seeking adventure whilst contributing to a worthy cause. The organisation works with local ground handlers and tour guides to ensure that the trip boosts local economy, skills and income. The organisation also plants 25 trees for every participant who takes part in the challenge, to offset their carbon footprint.

She started training for the cycle in April 2019 with four weight sessions and two bike rides per week, which gradually get harder every two weeks. Alongside her training, she is doing additional fundraising including bag packing with her friends in supermarkets and hosting a cocktail event at Manahatta in Harrogate where she works part-time.

Speaking ahead of the challenge, Rose said: “We are all affected by mental health in one way or another, and I am proud to be fundraising for Mind as the work they do is necessary for everyone. In my first term at University, my mental health deteriorated very quickly, however I focused on the positive in every day and doing things that made me feel positive such as going out on my bike and exercising. I’m proud of myself for taking on this challenge.

“I am feeling very nervous about this charity cycle, but it’s the type of nervous that makes me excited about the challenges ahead of me. I am giving this challenge my all to stay positive for all the people that couldn’t face another day.”

Russell Woodfield, Rose’s personal tutor and Lecturer in Psychology at Leeds Trinity University, said: “Rose always overcomes hardships that present themselves in life with positivity and commitment. She is an inspiration, striving for others by raising awareness alongside her dedication to training and her studies. I hope everyone will join with me in offering her support and every success to fundraise for Mind, whilst raising awareness of mental health and the services that are available to us all.”

Rose will start her cycle on 14 November 2020 and will finish at the Angkor Wat Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Cambodia. If you would like to donate to Rose’s fundraising mission, visit her JustGiving page.