Perkins' Ras Long cycles Cuba for Women for Women

A Whittlesey woman is urging people to dig deep into their pockets and support her fundraising challenge in aid of Women for Women.

Ras Long, 34, a quality control engineer at Perkins, is training hard as she prepares to take on the challenge of a lifetime by cycling 370km in five days, around Cuba, to raise vital funds for the Women for Women charity.

The charity, chaired by Professor Lord Robert Winston, raises funds to improve the health of women and babies through prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a range of devastating conditions which cause miscarriage, infertility and genetic diseases.

Women for Women aims to ensure that women have ongoing good health throughout their lives and that more women have a healthy pregnancy and baby.

To help support the charity’s work Ras plans to cycle 370km around Cuba on a journey which will see her ride through the Bay of Pigs, Santa Clara and ultimately end up in Havana.

Friends, family and work colleagues have already pledged more than £1,000 but there’s still a long way to go to reach Ras’ £3,000 target.

“I’m really excited about the challenge,” said Ras, who is already in training for the March event. “This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and after watching Professor Winston’s Millennium Babies programme and finding out more about the Women for Women charity, I felt it was a charity I really wanted to support.

“It will be a challenge as I don’t know anyone who’s going and we’ll have to work together as a team to get through it.”

The event is no holiday, as Ras will be cycling for five consecutive days across tough undulating terrain and staying in hostels along the way.

“As well as raising money for the charity I hope my challenge will help raise awareness of the educational and research work undertaken by Women for Women.

“I know this is going to be a physically and mentally challenging event, in hot and humid conditions, but I can’t wait to get going.”

To sponsor Ras visit www.justgiving.com/rasimelong or email rasimecyclecuba@hotmail.co.uk.

PIC: Pedal power: Ras Long is hoping her 370km cycle ride across Cuba will help raise £3,000 for the Women for Women charity.