THE Mayor of Winchester says she is ready to take on her 90-mile sponsored bike ride, despite breaking her ankle which scuppered her training.

Cllr Jane Rutter will be undertaking the gruelling challenge to raise funds for her five chosen charities, starting on Monday.

However, back in March, she was left wheelchair bound for six weeks after breaking her ankle. She says it has fully healed and she has been back on the bike, training hard.

Cllr Rutter said she is determined to get as many fellow councillors as she can to join her. “I am just going to go for it. As tough as it will be, the charities we shall be raising money for are worth it. I am currently trying to persuade as many fellow councillors as I can to join me along the route; we already have a few, but I would like a few more to come.”

With a target set at £7,000, Cllr Rutter is hoping she can raise as much money as possible for charities Combat Stress, Music for All, Home Start, Street Reach and Winchester Youth Counselling.

Charters Estate Agents and HAB Housing have already pledged £500 each, and the MyDonate page is pushing £800.

The charities have been selected as part of the Mayor’s Charities, a selection of organisation that the mayor will fundraise for during her year in office.

Also joining the Worthys ward councillor on the journey will be six servicemen from Worthy Down base – who have been sponsored as well.

Cllr Rutter added: “During the ride I am visiting a lot of different areas in the district. I hope we can stop off at these places and meet some local people – as well as grabbing a bite to eat!

“To train, I have been going to Alresford and back, about seven miles, on my bike and once round the village, which is about three miles.

“I have not done anything like 45 miles in a day mostly because I do not have a day where I can!

“I think if I can do this then I do not want to be a beacon of hope for older people; with just a bit of grit and determination it will show that even if an old fogey like me at 58 can do it, so can other people.”

Starting on Monday at Abbey House, her official residence, the mayor will be heading as far as Whiteley, stopping off in Hursley, Colden Common, Bishop’s Waltham, Micheldever and more.

She will be finishing her 90-mile trip on Tuesday (September 20) by returning to Abbey House.

To sponsor the mayor, visit mydonate.bt.com/events/mayorofwinchesterscharities/330254.