Incredible Eiffel cycle for Olivia

john pepworth and andrea fowler cycled from London to Paris to raise money for children with heart defects

Published on 27/08/2012 14:25

A Dunstable man lost an astonishing five stone and cycled all the way to Paris with a friend after her baby daughter inspired them to raise £14,000 for children with heart defects.

John Pepworth, 35, of The Mall, was encourged by brave Olivia – daughter of Andrea Fowler, also 35 – who was diagnosed with a number of serious congenital heart defects.

Now a happy two-year-old keeping up with twin sister Elizabeth, Olivia made an excellent recovery thanks to Bristol Childrens’ Hospital.

John and Andrea decided to repay the hospital by cycling 300 miles – from Crystal Palace to the Eiffel Tower – in three and a half days to raise money for their cardiac centre.

With a 5.30am start on August 15, the pair survived poor weather conditions and inconsiderate truck drivers to complete the gruelling task for their worthy cause.

John said: “I’d like to offer big thanks to everyone who donated.

“I have been training since September as at the start I couldn’t cycle a mile as I was very unfit and obese.

“Through the training and dieting with Slimming World in Dunstable I have lost over fiive stone to help me up the hills.”

Andrea, who lived in Houghton Regis but now lives in Cornwall, said: “We both thought that this was a suitable feat of endurance to illustrate how difficult it is to be a heart child.”

To donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/in-Seinechallenge.

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Incredible Eiffel cycle for Olivia

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