Josh Nelli, the fiancé of brave Kerry Thorpe, has said her fighting spirit will spur him on during a gruelling cycling challenge he is tackling with his dad.
Josh, 27, and his father Tony, 54, are taking part in the London to Paris Bike Ride, cycling 295 miles over four days in September and raising vital cash for The Kerry Alex Thorpe Trust.
Kesgrave resident Kerry battled cystic fibrosis, raising awareness of the condition and the desperate need for people to sign the organ donation register, before sadly passing away on March 21 last year.
Josh, who alongside family and friends established the Trust in April last year, which among other activities grants ‘wish days’ for children suffering from cystic fibrosis, said: “I will have a large memory to bank upon, such as the smiles on all the children’s faces we will be hoping to help in the future – and also the memory of Kerry.
“Our challenge puts into context what she had to deal with. Every day for her was like running a marathon. It was so much harder than ours. She suffered without letting it get her down and her memory will be spurring us on.
“We will certainly be drawing upon that attitude and inspiration to complete this challenge.”
He added: “The challenge is extra special as I am doing it with my dad.
“We will be training four or five times a week and hopefully this challenge will be a good stepping stone to other fundraising challenges in the future.”
Josh has been given a free top-of-the-range bike courtesy of Elmy Cycles, based in St Helen’s Street, Ipswich.
Steve Grimwood, owner of Elmy Cycles, said: “We met Josh at the Stars of Suffolk Awards last year and we were really impressed with what they have done.
“We are only too happy to help out and we will be offering Josh and his dad tips and advice before they take on their challenge.”
To sponsor Josh, visit his Just Giving page or for more information about the Trust, visit www.kerryalexthorpetrust.org.uk
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