Experienced vets pledge to cycle 44 miles in undulating English countryside for Vetlife
Two vets with more than 40 years’ experience combined have teamed up to raise money for mental health charity Vetlife.
Lynne Faulconbridge and Jo Day are taking part in the Wiggle Forest Ranger Sportive which involves cycling 44 miles through some of the most scenic – and hilly – parts of East Staffordshire and Leicestershire.
According to Lynne, the duo organised the fundraising event as they “know only too well the mental and physical pressures associated with the veterinary profession” and both have friends and colleagues with experience of mental health difficulties.
“They will be at the forefront of our minds when we’re pedalling the gruelling 44-mile course”, said Lynne, who is a passionate supporter of Vetlife, a charity which provides emotional, financial and mental health support to the veterinary community.
Both Lynne and Jo have had to overcome their own individual battles – Lynne’s due to her lack of fitness and Jo’s because of her physical health – to embark on the cycling challenge.
Lynne said: “I had to buy a bike to train on and at the start struggled to cycle just four miles!”
And Jo added, poignantly: “I have been battling hard to return to mental and physical health since 2013 when I had to have nine months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for an aggressive lymphoma. This bike ride is another step on this long journey.”
Both women lead incredibly busy lives. Lynne, a former veterinary practice owner, works nights and weekends at our busy pet emergency clinic in Birmingham while Jo owns the Vets4Pets veterinary practice in Dudley.
They are also equally passionate about the cause they are supporting. Lynne cares deeply about the morale of her colleagues and is looking forward to raising money for a charity close to her heart.
Jo, meanwhile, actively promotes mental health and wellbeing both in her veterinary practice and in her role on the wellbeing committee of Vets4Pets.
If you would like to support these crazy cycling clinicians in their fundraising efforts on October 22, please sponsor them on their JustGiving page.