After 43 years away from cycling, a Norfolk mum is back in the saddle for a month-long challenge inspired by her daughter's brain tumour battle.
Barbara Hollands, 62, of Thetford, took up the challenge of cycling 274 miles throughout August to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
This brave endeavour was motivated by daughter Kylie Weatherby's devastating diagnosis and battle with a rare stage 2 brain tumour.
Ms Hollands, who works as a nursing assistant at West Suffolk Hospital, said: “Before the start of the challenge, I hadn’t been on a bike for more than four decades.
Mum Barbara with Kylie (Image: Submitted)
"I had planned to get back into it and start cycling to work in October 2023 but broke my ribs, so this has been the first opportunity for me to get back to biking as a hobby.”
Despite her own health hurdles as well, living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Ms Hollands shows unwavering determination, pedalling nearly 50 miles a week.
Ms Weatherby, 35, has recently finished intense radiotherapy for recurring tumours.
Barbara Hollands, 62 last rode a bike more than 43 years ago (Image: Submitted)
The doctors report her case as unusual, having two different types of tumours that can grow back anytime.
Paying tribute to her daughter, Ms Hollands said: “Kylie has been through so much and when the doctors told us that there were two recurrences of her PXA tumour I was devastated.
"We must wait until next month to find out if Kylie’s latest treatment was effective.”
Kylie Weatherby with Luca and Malena (Image: Submitted)
Community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, Charlie Allsebrook, said: “Her month-long efforts are brilliant, and we are grateful for her support."
Brain Tumour Research highlights that brain tumours claim more lives under 40 than any other cancer, but receive just 1pc of national cancer research funding.
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