Blunham bike rider Seren uses pedal power to raise funds for St John’s Hospice

Seren Burt, seven, took her first tentative journey on two wheels last summer, but had forgotten how to ride after the long, cold winter.

However, Seren soon got the hang of it when she practised during lockdown and wanted to use her new-found skill to help Sue Ryder St John’s Hospice.

Mum Christina, 28, said: “Seren re-learnt to ride her bike and then a couple of days afterwards she told me that she wanted to do something for charity. I gave her a couple of options and she decided to ride 30 miles in a week.

“She started it on May 24 and finished in the space of six days, actually completing 41 and a bit miles!

“She was very excited and kept asking ‘How much money have we raised now?’”

Seren honed her cycling technique on the playing fields near her house and went for rides around her village of Blunham.

The ambitious schoolgirl received support from local residents as well as her school friends from St Mary’s Academy, Stotfold, and has so far raised an impressive £881.

Christina said: “My partner took Seren cycling as I was pregnant at the time. We’re really proud. She’s so sweet and kind. On her first day she did two to three miles and the furthest she went was around eight miles!”

Seren had a special reason for helping St John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger, because it gave her great-grandmother Marylyn treatment for lymphoma.

Writing on her JustGiving donation page before her challenge, Seren added: “I have been inspired by lots of different people raising money during this time and I wanted to do something to help people too. I learnt to ride my bike properly less than a week ago, so I thought I would try to cycle 30 miles in a week - maybe more!

“I would like to raise at least £300 for St John’s Hospice in Moggerhanger because they are a local charity who really need our help - especially at the moment.”

Seren was six at the time she completed her challenge, but as well as recently celebrating her birthday, she also has a new baby brother, called Oscar.

To donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/serenscyclechallenge