A mum-of-two is preparing for her first outdoor cycling event to raise vital funds for research into brain tumours.

Lisa Bullock, from Stevenage, will be among thousands of cyclists taking part in Ford RideLondon-Essex on Sunday.

Her motivation to do it comes from meeting 15-year-old Luke Webber, who goes to Stevenage's Barclay Academy with her son and was diagnosed with a brain tumour which left him with various chronic conditions.

The Comet: Luke Webber has inspired Lisa to take on the cycling challenge.Luke Webber has inspired Lisa to take on the cycling challenge. (Image: Brain Tumour Research)

The 60-mile challenge will see her set off from Victoria Embankment in Central London and pedal as far as Ongar in Essex before returning to London to finish at Tower Bridge in Southwark.

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Lisa, 38, said: "Cycling was never my thing, but it is now. I used to do a lot of spin classes and then I did a virtual event at my gym for London to Brighton. I never thought I’d be able to manage that distance, but I had a go and I did it. Then I thought ‘what if I could do it for real?’

"So, I got a bike, started training outside and realised I loved it. I found some groups to go out with to get my confidence on the road and it spiralled from there. The more confidence I got, the more I believed I could do it.

"I’ve been out three to four times a week ever since, and do about 100 miles a week. It’s not been without its hiccups though. I’ve fallen over a few times and sprained my wrist early on, which hurt for about seven weeks, but I soon learnt."

Lisa will be joined on the challenge by her husband, Steve, who is going along to keep her company and to provide moral support.

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She is raising money for Brain Tumour Research, a charity she became aware of after meeting Luke.

Luke was diagnosed with a low-grade craniopharyngioma in the summer of 2020, after suffering with headaches and double vision for around 12 months.

He has undergone two surgeries and proton beam therapy, and is now being monitored with regular scans, but suffers from a number of life-changing chronic conditions, including diabetes insipidus, adrenal insufficiency and hypothyroidism.

Lisa said: "We first met Luke when we went for an open day at Barclay Academy with our son, Dylan, who is now 13 and in the same year as Luke’s brother. Our son, Alex, is 11 and will be going there in September.

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"We weren’t sure about the school at first, but Luke was helping on the curriculum enrichment stall and was so excited and enthusiastic that he changed our view.

"When we found out about his problems – he told us about a trip to Iceland he was due to go on but might not be able to because of his health, and showed us the scar on his head – he was so positive and inspiring that it stuck with me.

"As soon as I decided to do this challenge, I knew I was going to do it for him.

"I’m nervous because I’ve never done an event like it, being amongst thousands of cyclists is a bit different to being in a spin class with 12 people, but I am also excited."

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Lisa has already raised more than £1,100 for the charity in Luke’s name.

She said: "It’s humbling when people are that supportive and generous. I set a target of £1,000 and thought that was ambitious, so it’s amazing to have raised more, and I’m still pushing. My biggest worry was letting Luke down, so I’m really pleased, and his dad said, if Luke’s well enough, he might come to the finish line, which would be great."

Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, said: "Luke is an amazing young man, and anyone who has met him will understand just how infectious his positive attitude can be. It’s of little surprise to find him at the heart of Lisa’s challenge, but we’re very grateful to them both for all their support and wish Lisa and Steve the best of luck on Sunday."

To support Lisa’s fundraising, visit justgiving.com/page/lisa-bullock-1681471732245.