An inspirational eleven year old girl from Bristol has embarked on a coast-to-coast cycle ride to fundraise for Diabetes UK.
28 July 2016
Type 1 team - Holly and her dad set off from Weston-super-Mare
Holly Howard was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes three years ago and is keen to show that having Type 1 diabetes doesn’t stop you from following your dreams. Holly started her 400km gruelling cycle challenge from Weston-super-Mare on 25 July and reached Margate on Saturday 30 July.
Holly said: “Recently I met someone with Type 1 diabetes who had run lots of marathons and is one of the four people with diabetes to have climbed Everest.
"This inspired me to prove myself. I have been to one of the Diabetes UK care events and I wanted to raise money to support the charity as I got so much from that experience.”
I have been to one of the Diabetes UK care events and I wanted to raise money to support the charity as I got so much from that experience.
Holly
Holly has faced and overcome challenges before she set off. She did not ride regularly, so she trained to improve her fitness over the past couple of months with her dad Gavin, who also has Type 1 diabetes. Ten days before she was due to set off her bike was stolen.
Her father Gavin is cycling with her. He said: “I am very proud of how Holly has handled her diabetes since she was diagnosed. Being diabetic myself, I am aware of the signs of the condition so when we noticed Holly being desperately thirsty and going to the toilet a lot on holiday we started to suspect it was diabetes.
Holly didn't even own a bike before the idea
Holly’s diagnosis was hard to come to terms with – but we have settled into a “new normal” and she has been fantastic.
Holly's dad
"We tested her the day we got back and had it confirmed. Holly’s diagnosis was hard to come to terms with – but we have settled into a “new normal” and she has been fantastic.
"She has always been motivated by hearing about diabetics succeeding in sport and she is keen to do this ride to show others with diabetes that you can still achieve your goals. She didn’t even own a bike when she came up with the idea, so it has been a pretty steep learning curve and she has stuck at it brilliantly.”
So far Holly has raised over £8,000 for Diabetes UK, but hopes further donations might help her to raise even more. To sponsor Hollygo to Holly's JustGiving page
They're off - Holly and Gavin begin cycling from Weston-super-Mare.
Arriving at Margate after cycling 400km, Holly and Gavin at the finishing line.
A well earned cool-down in the sea.
