On a mission for Andreia

Published 21 Aug 2010 12:30

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FRIENDS and family will be joining a cycle challenge in memory of a young woman who died while training for the same race.

Two members of staff from the Observer, Clare Bailey, 24, and Joy Masefield, 23, are part of team ‘...on a mission,’ which is taking part in the Palace to Palace cycle ride in memory of Andreia Alves Pinto, who died in September 2009 when her bike was hit by a car in Windsor Great Park.

The 14-strong team, which includes Andreia’s brothers Carlos and David Alves, will be taking on the gruelling course on September 26, cycling from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle to raise £3,000 for The Prince’s Trust.

Advertising executive, Miss Bailey, who is currently in training for the 45-mile challenge, said: “My brother did the cycle ride last year and he was friends with Andreia. I went to support him at the finishing line and he said it was really good and so I decided to do it and roped in Joy!”

Studio supervisor, Miss Masefield, said: “I used to work with young carers and The Prince’s Trust is a charity that provides a lot of support for them. So I decided to join the team.”

The duo have had to borrow bikes for the cycle ride, but hope all their efforts and hard work will result in lots of cash for charity.

Ms Bailey added: “I have never done anything like this before, I am a little bit scared now. The reality of it all is sinking in.”

On September 10, friends and family of Andreia are completing a sponsored walk retracing the 25-year-old’s steps on the day she died.

Andreia’s mother Elizete Alves will be raising money for the cyclists during the walk, which will begin at her home in South Ascot and end near where Andreia died. The walkers will plant bulbs and have a moment of meditation to remember Andreia.

To sponsor the team, visit www.princes-trust.org.uk/palace_to_palace and search for ‘...on a mission’ via the sponsor a friend link.

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