A Loughborough University graduate who passed away in August last year from a brain tumour aged 25, is being remembered by friends and family as they cycle the 145 miles from Loughborough to her hometown of Brentwood in Essex.
Ria Melvin, who graduated with a first class degree BSc Hons in Sports Management, was diagnosed aged 23 in December 2018 with a glioblastoma (GBM) and underwent surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy treatment in Germany.
Shocked at the lack of options available to brain tumour patients, Ria worked with Brain Tumour Research to campaign for change, including communicating with her MP, the Prime Minister’s private parliamentary secretary.
Now Sofie Armitage, one of Ria’s uni friends, has put together a team of 19 cyclists to take on this epic challenge, which includes Ria’s mum Carol and sister Kaz (pictured above), as well as 17 friends from Loughborough Uni who, like Ria, all played for one of the university’s football teams.
Known as #Ria’sRiders, the team will put their pedal to the metal over two days from 2nd to 3rd June. To date, more than £7,000 has been raised through the challenge. You can add a donation via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Loughborough2Essex