Rachael SMILES for family cycling challenge

Spare a thought for Rachael Angus–Felton, Medical Rota Co-ordinator within the Women and Children’s Directorate, who, together with her husband Ian and sons Alex and Euan, has embarked on a 928-mile virtual cycle using their indoor exercise bike.

The family of novice cyclists started the challenge at the end of January 2021 and hope to complete their epic virtual journey by the end of February 2021.

They’re raising money for SMILE, a charity which provides free counselling support to young people with mental health issues, and have set themselves a target of £1440 which will provide enough funding for 80 counselling sessions.

Since the first lockdown the charity say they have had a 130% increase in referrals with 40% from areas of multiple deprivation. And since March 2020, they have reached over 12,000 students with support materials for coping with lockdown, anxiety and home schooling.

Anyone who would like to support Rachael’s fundraising initiative can donate via her
Just Giving page.