A cancer survivor is getting on her bike for an extraordinary challenge to raise money and offer people a chance to honour a loved one.

Claire Flatt, Matron with the Faculty Of Research and Clinical Education (FORCE) at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, is to cycle approximately 500km from Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam to Angkor Wat in Cambodia over eight days in September. She is raising money for Well Wishers, Walsall Healthcare’s charity.

The 40-year-old has taken on a challenge every year with husband Ian ever since she beat cancer in 2017.

“Well Wishers offers great support to patients, families and carers but also to staff,” said Claire.

“It helps with anything from bursaries for education, to equipment, celebrations, recognition, painting, students, and staff support. So hopefully this is a way of saying thank you.”

People can honour a loved one or say thank you to a colleague by donating £10 and dedicating 10km of ‘memory miles’ of Claire’s ride.

For every donation, a coloured ribbon with the dedicated name will be added to Claire’s cycling shirt, so they stay with her throughout the challenge.

In 2017, Claire, then 33, was diagnosed with two primary cancers and underwent over 18 months of treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and numerous surgeries.

These all had a life changing impact on her, bringing on early menopause and infertility.

Throughout Claire’s treatment and with the help of family and friends she raised £50,000 for various cancer charities for #claireschallenge.

As soon as she was well enough, she started tackling her own challenges.

Six months after her treatment finished, Claire ran the London Marathon in 2019 and more recently completed a skydive and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

For this challenge, the couple are being joined by friends and avid cyclists Tom and Lisa on an organised trip by a specialist adventure company.

Claire is taking a step into the unknown, admitting: “As a novice cyclist the training alone is going to be a challenge, never mind cycling 50km-100km a day for over a week!

“Tom and Lisa have never been to Vietnam or Cambodia – countries we love – so we decided on a challenge they would enjoy.

“In return we’re taking them backpacking across Vietnam for the first 10 days – and they are definitely not the backpacking type!”

Georgie Westley, Fundraising Manager, said: “This is the latest in a series of gruelling challenges Claire has taken on and we’re so proud of her.

“We thank her very much for her efforts and wish her all the best – and her efforts will be well received by staff and patients.”

To donate a memory mile, visit this link then email claire.flatt1@nhs.net with the name of your dedication and choice of ribbon colour.