Shoreham keyworker set for 75-mile cycle challenge to help foodbank

As a keyworker, she has been working long hours in the past few months but she wanted to do something to help the people who are not so fortunate.

To celebrate her 40th birthday, Amanda will be cycling from Shoreham to Guildford and back in a day and hopes to raise £1,000.

Amanda said: “Work has been a bit nuts but I’ve got next week off and I turn 40 at the end of it, so I’m going for Wednesday as the big day.

“In many ways, being a key worker is a blessing. I’ve had to work crazy hours, which has been hard on the family, but I’m getting paid. So many people are finding it really tough. Local community is more important than ever in times like this.”

Amanda decided to do something for the foodbank after discovering project manager Paul Comber is one of her neighbours in Shoreham – something she was not aware of before Covid-19.

She explained: “My husband and I decided to set up a WhatsApp group for our road when we moved into lockdown and through that, we’ve been so much closer with our neighbours – they’ve kept us sane.

“We met Paul, I wanted to do something and he’s not short of volunteers but demand is outstripping supply. Shoreham Foodbank is providing a lifeline to the most vulnerable among us. Times are tough for so many right now but our community is stronger than ever.”

Amanda said she has been so busy, she as not been able to focus on the fundraising, though she has already passed the £700 mark.

Proud husband Simon Harris said: “Somehow, as well as frequently working 12-plus hours a day, at times six days a week, being a great mother and wife and often making bread at the weekend, Amanda is taking on a 75-mile cycle challenge, riding from Shoreham to Guildford and back in a day.”

Amanda will be following the Downs Link cycle path on her trusty bike ‘Buckaroo’, and says she is feeling confident.

Visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/downslinkshorehamfoodbank to make a donation.

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