A WOMAN who rediscovered her love of sport during the lockdown has also raised £1400 for a Cornish charity

Zoe Harris, from Menheniot, challenged herself to walk 100 miles during May, but after embracing the chance to get outdoors, she had actually walked 205 miles by the end of that month.

This spurred her on to her next challenge; cycling 1084 miles in 12 weeks, the equivalent distance of Lands End to John O’Groats.

After her first short bike ride at 5am before work, Zoe, 44, said she returned home aching and wondering how realistic cycling more than 1000 miles really was. But by the end of June she had managed to cover 567 miles, and was cycling every day while also working full time at Callywith Quarry.

’It was only after a month of cycling that I realised I was probably going to be able to do the distance and that something else positive could come out of this if I could raise some money for charity while I was doing it. That was when I chose to start collecting donations for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).’

A 47.5 mile cycle with family and friends marked Zoe reaching the LEJOG distance.

’Everyone thought that I was going to call off my last day of cycling because of the weather but I had cycled every day for almost two months, rain wasn’t going to stop me,’ she said.

’It was an amazing feeling to complete those final miles with my friends that had joined me along the way as well as my husband and two children.”

Zoe’s totals were 1187 miles over 61 days with more than £1400 raised for CHSW.

’I have seen some amazing sights; wild deer, sunrises, sunsets and new places,’ she said.

’It has certainly put a positive spin on lockdown for me and it has been lovely to hear of some people who have been inspired and are now taking on their own challenges. If I can find the time to do it while working full time with a family then anyone can.

’There have of course been some days when I didn’t want to go but I always did and I always felt better for it. I have lost over a stone in weight and now when I am cycling with friends I am waiting for them to get to the top of the hills rather than the other way round!’

Amanda Masters, community fundraiser for CHSW said “When we heard of Zoe’s challenge we were absolutely blown away. She has done incredibly well to not only get all those miles under her belt but also to have raised such a fantastic amount of money and all through such uncertain times. Thank you Zoe for all your hard work and to everyone who donated and supported you along the way.’

Zoe’s fundraising page is still open for donations: visit Justgiving.com and search for “Zoe’s Lands End to John O’Groats virtual challenge”.