A MUM-OF-TWO who suffered seven miscarriages before having her two daughters now plans to cycle 350 kilometres across India to raise money for a charity which supports mums-to-be and their babies.
Lindy Blackwell said she received no answers or support during her miscarriages between 1987 and 1991 and had almost given up hope of having a child when daughter Emily, now 21, was born.
So the driving instructor, who will turn 50 in October, said she felt inspired to help others in a similar situation when she read about the cycling challenge in a magazine.
Now Lindy, of Ilkeston – together with Emily – will spend five days riding through Kerala, a state in the south-west region of India.
The pair need to raise a minimum of £6,200 by July to take part in the challenge, which will be held in October.
Money raised by them will go to national charity Genesis Research Trust, which supports scientists and clinicians researching the causes and cures for conditions affecting the health of women and babies.
Lindy, who lives with husband Ady, 50, in Heathfield Avenue, said: "I was just sitting at the test centre when I saw an advert for this challenge in a magazine and I thought: 'I've got to go for it.'
"It was a long time ago when I had my miscarriages but, when I did, I knew nothing about this charity or any others. I didn't have any support.
"And it does make ask yourself: 'Why aren't I normal?' – because that's how it makes you feel.
"I can't even begin to imagine how a mother who has a stillborn child feels. It was hard enough for me losing my children after 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
"So, either way, I felt that I was doing something right if I could try to help other women going through this.
"On top of this, I felt my 50th birthday this October was a milestone and the fact this challenge coincided with just seemed to fit everything into place."
Lindy, whose other daughter, Georgia, is 15, said the challenge was initially daunting because she had not been on a bike for 12 years.
But she said she has been training hard and, before she embarks on the challenge, plans to take part in a 60-mile bike ride.
Lindy, who has so far raised £971 online, said: "My nerves were definitely focused on the bike ride at first and we started training gently so I could get back into the swing of thing.
"Now I'm just nervous about getting all the fund-raising done – because that's what it's all about. But I'm really looking forward to the challenge. We'll be cycling across various terrains but it shouldn't be too hard-going. The aim is to make it a challenge for ordinary women – not too extreme.
"Emily said I was crazy for doing it but then she said she would join in too if I was determined to do it and I'm delighted to be taking part with her."
To find out more about Lindy's challenge, or to support her, visit www.justgiving.com/Lindy-Emily-blackwell.
