Breast Care Nurse to cycle 24 hours for charity

Sunday 01 July 2018

A 58-year-old Breast Care Nurse Specialist from Jersey Hospital has vowed to cycle for 24 hours straight on 14 July to help raise funds for four local charities who help patients affected by cancer.

Kath Irani is hoping to raise money for Macmillan Jersey Cancer Support, After Breast Cancer, Family Nursing and Home Care and Jersey Hospice Care.

Kath decided to get on the saddle to help support the charities as she works with them on a daily basis to support patients in her care. She says that the majority of them are women, although they also look after men from time to time. She has been in the service for three years, having worked previously as a midwife.

Kath said: "From the moment the patient gets the diagnostic, they receive an amazing support from the charities. It ranges from psychological and emotional support to massages, reflexology, or bras.

"They all rely on donations and without their support all the ladies would be vulnerable. I want to raise as much as I can, hopefully £20,000 to split equally between the four of them."

To raise the money, Kath is set to cycle for 24 hours starting at 08:00 on 14 July. Her course will consist of a six-mile loop from St. Aubin to Le Frégate and back. Her challenge will be to stay on the bike, only getting off for a comfort break. She will have her meals with the bike on a static bike stand to enable her to continue pedalling. 

Since hearing of Kath's plan, her patients have been really supportive and enthusiastic. A number of them has also donated money to help her reach her target.

While she cycles to and from work every day and attends exercise classes twice a week, Kath considers herself to be a slow cyclist and says she is not a cycling club member. She is still hopeful she will complete her 24 hours challenge.

Pictured: Kath will cycle a six mile from St. Aubin to La Frégate for 24 hours.

She explained: "I decided to do 24 hours because I thought you could easily do 12. Doing it overnight adds another dimension due to the lack of sleep. It is a substantive challenge. Am I crazy?

"I think the hardest thing will be mentally. During the day there will be a lot people there to cheer on me but at night time it will be a different matter. In the dark and tired, I don't know how I will cope!"

Luckily, Kath has received a lot of advice from seasoned cyclists. "The biggest advice I have had is to avoid hunger. I have to make sure I am hydrated and comfortable on the bike."