A Bramhope woman got back in the saddle after 25 years and took part in a marathon bike ride across Cuba to raise money for charity.

Celia Hindmarsh, 40, of Long Meadows, took part in the trek in October last year - after getting on a bike for the first time since she was 14. Now she has raised £1,900 in sponsorship and is looking for £400 more to hit her target.

Mrs Hindmarsh, who has two children - Oliver, 16, and Sam, 12, - braved the gruelling tour in aid of the National Deaf Children's Society after losing her hearing temporarily last year.

She said: "I perforated my eardrum and went deaf and I became aware of the difficulties of lack of hearing.

"My friend had suggested earlier that we do a charity walk in China to raise money for the NSPCC but she dropped out. Then I saw this Cycle Cuba for the National Deaf Children's Society in the Guardian and I thought it was a better cause for me after I had lost my own hearing. I just thought 'I can do that!'"

Mrs Hindmarsh got in shape for the ride with regular cycle trips in the area.

She said: "You had to have a certain level of fitness and I hadn't ridden a bike since the year dot. I started to go from Arthington to Brathenwaite and Pannal and then to Huby and back because I knew that if I did it twice I had done 25 miles. It got easier and easier with each ride.

"It was an amazing feeling to eventually think the ride was too easy after starting with a quick trip around the village and thinking that was too much for me - I did wonder what I had taken on at first."

The mobile hairdresser then joined 23 other people at Gatwick Airport before flying out for the five-day cycle ride from Havana to Trinidad.

The group were followed by an air conditioned van as they travelled through some of the island's most beautiful scenery to carry equipment - and competitors who wilted in the searing heat.

Mrs Hindmarsh said: "It was quite gruelling and several people did come down with heat-stroke.

"We were told that the average temperature would be 25 degrees and that's what I thought it was. I was unaware of how hot it was - over 30 degrees. On the second day I had a headache and I started to feel sick and I had to go into the van because I had heat-stroke - but I was soon back on the road and able to finish."

Despite the harsh nature of the trek Mrs Hindmarsh said that every pedal was worth it to improve the quality of life of deaf youngsters.

She said: "It was one of the fantastic experiences of my life and one of the most amazing things I have ever done. It was the best way to see the country.

"But the main thing was raising the money for the charity - which gives all its money to deaf children."

Mrs Hindmarsh is still seeking sponsorship for the ride as some of the money she had raised was stolen in a burglary at her home days before she was due to fly to Cuba.

Luckily she had banked the initial deposit of £1,900 and was able to make the trip but thieves made off with at least £250 and a further £400 is needed to boost the funds to the required £2,300.

If anyone is interested in making a contribution they can contact Mrs Hindmarsh on (0113) 261 3978.

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