Story: Lydia Flanagan | Photo: Lisa Swift
Giulia Gigliobianco and her Dad, Cosimo, are challenging themselves to a Sheffield to London bike ride, in aid of the medical research charity, RAFT.
Starting off from Giulia’s Pitsmoor home on 24th May, the 300km (186 miles) journey stops in Loughborough, Northampton and Hemel Hampstead, arriving in London on 27th May.
Cosimo was injured in a motorcycling accident last year, which left him with metal plates in his knee and arm. Cosimo and his daughter enthusiastically decided to celebrate his recovery with a great challenge that defies his injuries and raises money for a great cause.
Giulia did her Master’s degree project with RAFT (Restoration of Appearance and Function Trust), who have developed a treatment for deep wounds without the need for skin grafting.
The pair have some previous cycling experience: both Giulia and Cosimo have done 10-day bike rides in Europe. Cosimo has travelled from Milan to Padua, Milan to Assisi and to France on Catholic pilgrimages; Giulia has cycled from Strasbourg to Cologne in Germany with her Scout Group when she was younger. In preparation, Giulia joined a gym.
“I’ve been doing some training,” she said, “but I can’t do steep hills! Hopefully when we get past Chesterfield it will be easier.”
Cosimo and Giulia’s blog is at http://sheffieldtolondon.wordpress.com You can even see the steel in Cosimo's X-rays! Together they have exceeded their target of £500 through the charity donation site, JustGiving. Further donations can be made by going to http://www.justgiving.com/giuliagiglio
News Update
Following our coverage in the June Messenger, Giulia and Cosimo successfully completed their bike ride on the 27th May. Have a look at their blog for details of the journey: http://sheffieldtolondon.wordpress.com