A DROITWICH artist will embark on a 300-mile charity bike ride to Paris in memory of her brother.
Ann Bennett, of Corbett Street, who was also diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in February, last year, will be leaving on her three-day mission on July 21 from London.
The 48-year-old will be one of 20 making up Team Star doing the ride in aid of Paddington charity Action Medical Research.
Each biker needs to raise a minimum of £1,500 meaning the group will hopefully make £30,000 between them – so far Ann has raised £250.
Ann lost her brother Andy Williams, the eldest of six, shortly before she was diagnosed with MS.
Andy was only 58 when he died after having a brainstem aneurysm.
Ann said her other brother Matt Williams would also be joining her as part of Team Star along with her sister Sally Hunt and Andy’s son Mark Williams.
She added Andy was a good big brother so it was quite a blow when he was taken so suddenly.
And she said she wanted to do something like this before her MS stopped her from doing such things.
“I have a ten-year-old son who is severely autistic and Andy was always good with children so it just seemed like a good charity to raise funds for in his memory.
“It has motivated me to do something I would have never have done in a million years and in that way I am keeping his memory alive.
“My brother was really into sports and I think he would be really proud to know I am doing it because he knew it was not my thing.
“I like the thought of riding into Paris with the wind going through my hair.”
As part of her fund-raising mission Ann is using her drawing abilities to help raise cash.
Before she leaves she will be doing portraits for people in Bromsgrove and Droitwich, mainly of children.
A 20-minute sitting is £10 and each penny is put in her charity pot.
Ann is in dire need of venues where she can do this and has appealed to anyone with space to help her with her efforts to contact her on 07528 177548.
The team also has sponsor shirts which still have spaces on for anyone interested.
Visit www.action.org.uk/sponsor/annbennett1 for more or to support Ann’s fund-raising mission.
Ann will be at The Orchard Cafe, at Worcester Countryside Centre on Wildwood Drive, on Sunday (March 22) from 1pm until 5pm for anyone who wants to go along and have their portrait done.
