A MUCH-LOVED Ledbury GP will mark her 50th birthday and her successful battle with cancer by tackling a sponsored bike ride from London to Paris.

Dr Debs Hiley of the Market Surgery, will be cycling with her 20-year-old daughter, Beth, to help cancer charities and show, in the most positive way possible, how even the most serious illnesses and challenges can be overcome.

Dr Hiley said: "I am cycling from London to Paris in three days with my daughter who is having a year out of university; we are raising monies for breast, ovarian and cervical cancers.

"We are riding for a number of reasons, which are to raise money for people going through what we as a family went through to try and help them in a small way; to raise awareness of these diseases and get them talked about more and more; and to show the local community, many of whom know me, that with lots of luck determination you can overcome, to some extent, very serious illness and face other challenges."

She added: "As a personal challenge I want to get really fit, give back to charities, and to mark my 50th birthday which we celebrate when we arrive in Paris. This is a birthday I never thought I would see when I was diagnosed with a very aggressive advanced breast cancer aged 43.

"It is also a wonderful way for my daughter and I to support one another."

Dr Hiley, who has undergone surgery six times in her battle against cancer, and also had to overcome melanoma, said the support from the local community had already been "completely overwhelming".

She said: "We have received huge support from the local Ledbury and Herefordshire community and we would very much like to thank everyone publicly, with a special mention to a few companies who have given generously, too.

"We have already raised in excess of £7,000 and hope to eventually raise more than £8,000."

Dr Hiley added: "We have had amazing support from patients and Day Lewis Pharmacy and generous sponsorship from the Sitara restaurant; Ledbury Exhaust and Mot Centre; Gerry Dovermans Garage (Hereford); Alexander Park and help from Number One sandwich shop.

"We have other events /ideas planned with other local businesses, like the Verzon Hotel, including a team raft event. This weekend we'll be training on the Malvern Mad Hatter 60 mile ride!"

Dr Hiley and Beth well be setting out for Paris in September.

They have a Just Giving Page, at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/debra-hiley