A DORSET GP will be taking on a gruelling challenge to raise funds and awareness for research into Parkinson's disease.

Dr Claire Lehman, a GP and Public Health Consultant, was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s three years ago, aged 37.

On Sunday, June 28, she will be taking on the gruelling ‘Raid Local’ cycle challenge to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s research.

The ‘Raid Local’ was born when the scheduled ‘Raid Alpine’, a cycling challenge through the Alpine Mountains, was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. In its place, The Cure Parkinson’s Trust (CPT) launched this socially distanced, yet equally tough, fundraising challenge.

On 28 June, Claire, from Wareham, will join more than 100 cyclists to set off from various locations around the UK, France and beyond to tackle a distance of more than 137km and an ascent of an incredible 3,700m – all remaining in their local areas.

Claire will be completing her route alongside her partner Michael on a tour of Dorset’s countryside.

While this challenge will be no easy feat, Claire is a keen cyclist and has plenty of experience with tackling long distances. Her past challenges include the Hebridean Way, and an endurance trip along the west coast of Sweden and into Norway.

She said: "I am not averse to a challenge; a decade ago I was over-wintering in Antarctica working as medical officer for the British Antarctic Survey. However I did not foresee that in 2017 I would be facing a very different challenge, the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.

"I am so excited, and somewhat daunted, by the prospect of riding 137km and a 3,700m vertical climb; to find sufficient height gain locally has been a challenge in itself! However, I am determined to achieve the goal. I have been cycling lots to prepare and checking out the steepest points for training; sometimes so steep the front wheel rolls up off the road.

"I have been cycling since I was little, and I am very fortunate that cycling has been proven to be beneficial for slowing the rate of progression of the disease; however that alone will not enable me to do all I still want to in life, and so CPT’s research into new treatments to slow, stop and reverse the disease is hugely needed. I am committed to raising as much as I can to support that research."

To support Claire and make a donation, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/claire-lehman1