A young horse lover has completed her “toughest challenge” yet to raise funds for Redwings, completing a 24-hour tandem bike ride in aid of the equine charity. Isabel Wright cycled 196 miles, 14 times around the 14-mile circuit at Redwings Oxhill Visitor Centre in Warwickshire, starting on a Saturday at midday and finishing the following day at midday.
Family, friends and supporters took turns to pilot the tandem for Izzy during the fundraiser, which has raised more than £1,800 of her £2,000 target in sponsorship so far. To sponsor Izzy and support Redwings, donate here.
“This was the toughest challenge so far but I’m so glad I completed it,” Izzy said. “I couldn’t have done it without everyone who came to support me, and I want to say thanks to them.
“If anyone hasn’t sponsored me yet, and would like to, that would be amazing. Every penny goes towards the fantastic horses, ponies and donkeys who Redwings rescue.”
Izzy, who celebrated her 14th birthday earlier this month, first visited Redwings with her grandma aged eight and it has been her favourite charity since then.
She has already raised £6,000 for Redwings, tandem-cycling 740 miles between all five of Redwings’ Visitor Centres last summer, climbing mountains in Wales and hiking 100 miles around the Shetland Islands with support from dad Richard Jones and family friend Dave Wright.
“Izzy really struggled during the last six hours of the challenge and had to pull out every ounce of mental fortitude to get the job done,” said her dad. “The night time was difficult, it was cold, her knees hurt, and the sleep deprivation was affecting her a lot.
“There were times when she was ready to throw the towel in, only for her to dig that little bit deeper and keep going. I’m so proud of her.”
Debbie Scott, Head of Fundraising at Redwings, said the team was full of admiration for Izzy and her “incredible achievement”.
“We are so in awe of Izzy and her team for their unbelievable challenges which seem to get more and more gruelling and more and more inventive too,” she said. “Thank you so much Izzy and to everyone who has kindly sponsored her amazing efforts.”
If Izzy’s challenge has inspired you to do your own fundraiser for Redwings, click here.
