Hundreds of women follow Fern Britton to Cuba

A fourth date has been announced for a women-only cycle ride in Cuba as hundreds of women follow the lead of This Morning TV presenter Fern Britton and sign up for the charity challenge.

Fern Britton is getting back on her bike for her third Women for Women cycling event to raise money for Professor Robert Winston’s appeal to improve the health of women and babies. Britain’s favourite daytime television presenter has already completed women-only cycle challenges in Egypt and India for Women for Women and has inspired many women across the UK to take up the challenge of cycling to raise funds for the cause.

Three dates for the Women for Women Cycle Cuba rides in November 2008 and March 2009 are now full leading to the launch of the fourth date from 13 – 22 March 2009. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

Women from all walks of life and from across the UK have raised nearly £2 million to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a range of devastating conditions which cause miscarriage, genetic diseases, infertility, cancer and brain damage by taking part in women-only cycle rides in Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Cuba, Turkey and India. Celebrities including Charlie Dimmock, Jilly Goolden and Dr Miriam Stoppard have also taken part in previous rides.

The 8th Women for Women challenge will be an opportunity to share an experience of a lifetime cycling 370km through Cuba - the Caribbean’s largest and least commercialised island. It will be a tough challenge, but one that is achievable by women prepared to get fit and put in plenty of cycle training beforehand.

Funds raised by Women for Women rides are used to train women scientists and clinicians of the highest calibre to work on major research projects at a centre of excellence at Imperial College Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte’s Hospitals in London where the largest team of doctors and scientists in Britain work together in a new research centre to improve the health of women and babies. The fundamental aim is to improve women’s health and to ensure that more women have a normal pregnancy with a healthy baby. Women for Women is administered by the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecolgoy Trust.

Professor Winston, who is Chairman of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Trust and Women for Women, said: “Women of all ages and from all of walks of life have done a huge amount to improve the health of women and babies by taking part in our previous rides. I would like to invite more women to take up the challenge of a ride in Cuba to help raise more funds to continue this vital research. Together we can continue to make a real difference and help to safeguard our future generations.”

To take part women need to pay a registration fee of £250 and then raise minimum sponsorship funds of £3,000 for Women for Women. The cost of flights, food, accommodation, use of bikes, guides etc. will all be paid from these funds. Women don’t need to be experienced cyclists, but will need to be reasonably fit and prepared to put in plenty of cycle training.

For further information about Cycle Cuba and an application form telephone Action for Charity, who are organising the challenge on behalf of the charity, on 0845 408 2698 or e-mail: events@actionforcharity.co.uk for an information pack and application form. Application forms can be downloaded from www.actionforcharity.co.uk

Also visit www.women-for-women.org for more information.

Local Information