A former parliamentary candidate and world champion multi-sport athlete will be riding side-by-side West Brom football players as they take on a near 200-mile cycle challenge.
Helen Russell, from Evesham, has signed up for the 2022 Baggies Bike Challenge which will see her cycle from Fulham FC’s Craven Cottage in West London to the Hawthorns, home of West Bromwich Albion.
They will aim to arrive in time for kick-off as the sides face-off on March 15.
Former player Chris Brunt is among those she will join for the 178-mile route as they seek to raise funds for the WBA Foundation.
Helen said: “The last two years have been extremely difficult for so many people and The Albion Foundation has helped local families to cope in many different ways.
“Money raised will go to continuing the amazing work of the charity. Whatever football team you support, I would ask you to consider donating to help improve lives and communities in the Midlands.”
She added: “This charity is close to my heart as my family have always loved West Bromwich Albion. As locals to the Hawthorns my mom used to go to games as a young woman and my dad has also stuck with them all these years!
“I know many of you have already given to my fundraising over the years and I am perhaps pushing it to ask for you to open your wallets yet again but it would be great if you could donate something, however small, to help this amazing charity.”
Helen is no stranger to challenges having won a number of quadrathlon titles and completed many gruelling events in aid of charity.
She was also the Labour candidate for Mid Worcestershire MP in the 2019 General Election.
The Albion Foundation runs a number of initiatives in support of the local community including Alzheimer’s cafes, mentoring and improving attainment with children in care or foster homes, opening up opportunities in disability sport, running sports initiatives in anti-social hot-spots and supporting sports development for girls.
During the pandemic, the Foundation delivered 110,000 food parcels and delivered over 7,000 educational sessions.
As well as this, the Foundation organised 10,500 phone calls by ex-players to the elderly.
Donations can be made via Helen’s Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wbasarahandhelen
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