Three sisters raise hundreds for AITC on eight-mile cycle
Three young sisters have raised hundreds of pounds for Albion in the Community, after the charity supported their teacher through cancer treatment.
Iyla aged ten, Amelia, seven, and Leila Ahmed, four, cycled eight miles through London to raise an amazing £670 for us.
They have smashed their initial fundraising target of £100, and they hope to continue raising even more money for the charity.
One of the girls’ teachers at Brighton Girls Prep School, Heather Bates, was part of our Brighter Outlook programme.
Brighter Outlook supports people’s physical health and fitness to help them prepare for, cope with, and recover from the rigours of cancer treatment.
Ms Bates said she was touched by the girls’ thoughtfulness.She told The Argus: “I am absolutely thrilled that Iyla, Amelia and Leila are doing this impressive bike ride to raise money.
“Albion in the Community is a brilliant charity which does so much good work. I cannot praise it enough. They really supported me when I was going through cancer treatment in 2020/21.
“I was assigned a lovely coach who had regular check-ins with me over that year.
“One of the many things they do is to run exercise classes for people going through treatment, which I really enjoyed and made me feel more like me.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching all three girls and know how thoughtful and determined they are.
“They are a real credit to the school and really embody our values. I will be with them 100 per cent in spirit on Sunday.”
The girls’ father Ishtiaq Ahmed, a cardiac surgeon at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, said: “Amelia was keen to choose a charity supported by her school – Albion in the Community.
“This charity was also particularly important to the girls as it provided support for one of their teachers when she had cancer diagnosed.
“She has been involved with all three girls and they love her varied lessons on anything from wellbeing and yoga classes to learning about historic explorers, whale sharks, the life cycle of penguins, recycling and looking after the planet.
“The girls love riding their bikes and to have an opportunity to participate in RideLondon was one they did not want to miss.
“The eldest two have done it in two previous years but Leila who is just four has been asking for some time – it has become a bit of a tradition for me to take them each year.
“I am incredibly proud of them for taking part. They are very motivated to do it, especially as they have seen the sponsorship pledges accumulating.”
Brighton Girls Prep head Laura Comerford said: “We’re bursting with pride about what the girls are doing.
“Albion in the Community is our chosen charity this year and the support they are giving to it has extra resonance because of Mrs Bates.
“They are still so young yet they are showing extraordinary empathy, settings a wonderful example to their peers.”
The girls will be among thousands taking part in the RideLondon Freecycle event as they ride through the capital.
Donations to the girls’ fundraiser can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/amelia-23
This article was written when our name was Albion in the Community. As of August 1 2023, we are the Brighton & Hove Albion Foundation.