A GRANDMOTHER is gearing up for an energy sapping challenge that will see her pedal 350 miles to raise money for a holiday retreat for disabled people.

Helen Macleod is cycling from her house in Hollesley, near Woodbridge, to Looe in Cornwall, where the home will be built by The Lin Berwick Trust.

The 75-year-old has already completed two sponsored cycles for the charity, the first of which was in 1998 with her late husband, John.

This time she will be pedalling solo, although members of her family will be providing support along the way - especially across London.

Mrs Macleod, who has four grandchildren and 10 step grandchildren, said: “My husband John and I met Lin and Ralph [who founded the The Lin Berwick Trust] and heard about their hopes and dreams to build cottages north, south, east and west. In 1998 we set off from home, via ‘Berwick Cottage’ in East Harling, to Iona. In 2002 we completed a second ride, this time from Dirleton, east of Edinburgh, where ‘Denis Duncan House’ was planned, to Muckle Flugga.

“In May I will set off again from Hollesley to Looe to where ‘Ralph Boyce House’ will be built in memory of Lin’s late husband.”

Mrs Macleod is a member of Woodbridge Methodist Church and is aiming to complete the challenge in just nine days. She is due to set off on Thursday, May 23 and will pass through Sudbury, Ilford, Egham, Winchester, Bridport and Saltash.

“I cycle fairly regularly, but I’m not particularly fast,” she said. “I’m looking forward to it very much and people have so far been very generous. The money raised will help provide the equipment that will be used in the new cottage.

“It will be the first time I have done a sponsored ride on my new cycle, which is a Brompton folding bike and has six gears. I find it very comfortable and it’s light to manoeuvre, which is very convenient because I come home by train.”

Mrs Macleod has already raised and impressive £1,400 - but has set herself a target of £5,000.

Contact her on 01394 411232 or visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HelenMacleod to donate.