IT promises to be a never forgotten experience - but when two Suffolk women set off on a journey across Cuba they will have more than adventure in mind.

By Jo Macdonald

IT promises to be a never forgotten experience - but when two Suffolk women set off on a journey across Cuba they will have more than adventure in mind.

Ann Burrows and her friend Jo Rogers will be getting on their bikes in March next year for the Women For Women Cuba Cycle Challenge.

The charity ride will include more than 100 women from the UK and Ireland will be raising money for the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Trust at Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital.

Every woman taking part must raise £2,500 with all funds going to support a major initiative to improve the health of women and babies across the world. It aims to train women scientists and clinicians to undertake pioneering work to improve prevention, diagnosis and care of women's health problems and those associated with conception, pregnancy, birth and the early days of life.

Mrs Burrows said: "We've both got personal reasons for taking up the challenge and helping this charity.

"And when I thought of all the people I know who have had problems I was amazed. I've got to beautiful children and two grandchildren and this is a way of giving a little bit back."

Mrs Burrows, 49, and Miss Rogers, 19, are looking forward to the challenge of cycling across the North American country and although their journey is several months away they are already training hard.

"Jo is my son's partner and she's a fitness instructor so she's in the gym a lot," Mrs Burrows said. "I work out two or three times a week and am cycling for hours at a time.

"We've got to get as fit as we can because it's going to be hot and humid and there are lots of hills. It's going to be tough."

They are also focusing a lot of their efforts on raising the money to secure they place on the challenge. They have already held fairs and car boot sales among other things and are about half way toward their target

"We both work full time and all our spare time is taken up with fundraising and training but we have both managed to raise half of our funds so far," explained Mrs Burrows, of Mill Road, Mendlesham, near Stowmarket.

"We have held numerous events and have many more planned and have both received a considerable amount of sponsorship and support from friends, family and companies."

This is the third Women for Women Cycle Challenge and celebrities, including Charlie Dimmock, Jilly Goolden and Dr Miriam Stoppard have already raised more than £320,000 for the Institute by taking part in rides in Turkey, Israel, Jordan and Egypt.

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Anyone wanting to help Mrs Burrows and Miss Rogers reach their fundraising target is asked to email ann.burrows3@btopenworld.com or call 01449 766564 (evenings only).