Woman to cycle the length of Britain to raise funds for girl

Sarah Tate is cycling the distance of Land's End to John o' Groats, or 1,407 kilometers, on an exercise bike during February to raise funds and awareness for her relative Tehyah Solan-Clarke.

Tehyah, 11, has generalised arterial calcification of infancy, or GACI, an extremely rare genetic disorder where the person's arteries thicken with calcium, making it harder for blood to travel.

It is estimated that one in every 391,000 people have GACI.

Due to complications during hospital stays when she was younger, Tehyah has been left with severe brain damage and is paralysed from the neck down.

Asked how she was feeling about the cycling challenge, Sarah said: "I'm nervous, this idea I had in isolation is starting to get real."

Tehyah, whose condition means she requires constant care, was diagnosed with GACI when she was three-years-old. She had periods on life support and has been in an induced coma.

Tehyah Solan-Clarke, bottom, with her father, Aaron, and siblings, Aaliyah, Dantay and Tayon.

After many operations, she was sent home from hospital and given two weeks to live, but has managed to live for over seven years since.

Sarah said: "She has defied the odds."

Sarah will cycle throughout February, looking to complete the 1,407 kilometers by cycling just over 50 kilometers a day on her exercise bike, which will take her a few hours each day.

Sarah Tate says she has no background in cycling but is determined to raise funds for Tehyah.

The care worker is taking on the challenge to raise funds for Tehyah's family, who receive very little financial support and to get in good shape. She will begin on February 1, which is GACI Awareness Day.

Along with a JustGiving page, which has raised £350, an event is being held at Boarhurst Band Club, Greenfield on March 26, which will look to raise further funds through a raffle, tombola and more.

For more on Tehyah's story and to donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sarah-tate.