A RISHTON woman is to make a 650-mile bike trip to France – in spite of not having cycled for 10 years.

Nikki Henderson, 24, decided to undertake the challenge to raise funds for the NSPCC.

The journey will see Nikki and 24-year-old university pal Dan Harvey-Lowes, from Nelson, cycle from Rishton to Rimbard, in the heart of rural France – without spending any money en route. Their plan is to be completely reliant on the kindness of strangers for food and shelter.

Nikki, a funeral director with Rishton Funeral Service, is currently in training and cycles up to 30 miles a day. But the former Norden High pupil will need to cover 70 miles a day when the journey starts at the end of March.

She said: “I haven’t been anywhere near a bike in ten years and it was my idea to do this! Dan is a similar fitness level too, so we have a lot to do. I really hope people will back us as much as possible.”

They are starting their fundraising with a quiz evening at the White Bear Inn, Gisburn Road, Nelson, on Thursday, December 8. For more details, visit uk.virgin moneygiving.com/r2rchallenge.