GP sets off on a fundraising cycle for Aylesbury Women's Aid

The 1,000 mile route will see him travel from Lands End to John O'Groats in 7 days.

Author: Scarlett Bawden-GaulPublished 11th Sep 2020

A GP is raising money for Aylesbury Womens Aid.

Dr Alex Cornish, an ex-Aylesbury Grammar student, is setting off with a friend today for a thousand mile cycle challenge.

Over 7 days the pair will be travelling from Lands End to John O'Groats, and will have to cycle around 130 miles a day to make it.

Alex says lockdown helped him get back into cycling, but was a difficult time for others:

"Aylesbury Women's Aid support people who have been victims of domestic abuse. They provide free information, support, counselling and temporary accommodation.

"As a local GP I wanted to use the ride to raise awareness for them and their work.

"For some of us we have been lucky that in lockdown exercise and cycling have been great benefits. But, for others a really sad result of being confined together has been an increase in domestic violence.

"Unfortunately it is something that many of us working in healthcare have seen as a result of that."

Initially, Alex had set the fundraising target for £300, which he admits now might have been a bit low as he isn't used to asking for donations.

After raising that goal to £1,000 the current amount stood closer to £2,000 thanks to over 50 peoples donations before they even set off.

Alex says he is extremely grateful for everyone's support, and hopes he is up to the challenge:

"Physically and mentally I am sure it will be a big challenge, depending on the waether as well but at the moment that looks good.

"There is a lot of climb involved with the route, and we will be carrying all our kit with us because we are cycling alone.

"And then my saddle and my bottom haven't had such a close relationship for so long.... So we will have to see how they get along."