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An on-call firefighter from Kenilworth is nearly halfway through her charity challenge.

Alison Insley, who has lived in Kenilworth since 1990, works full time for the Warwickshire library service and has been an on-all firefighter at Kenilworth Fire Station for four-and-a-half years.

On June 3 Alison will be celebrating her 50th birthday but this year will also be 14 years since her mother died - 25 days before her 36th birthday.

Left to right: Cllr Richard Dickson, who became Mayor of Kenilworth last week, Alison Insley and Kieran Amos, Chief Fire Officer for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service. Photo supplied

Alison had created fundraising plans to raise money for University College London Amyloidosis Research Fund and The Firefighters Charity but the pandemic has meant she has had to alter them and postpone birthday celebrations.

Previously The Courier and Kenilworth Weekly News reported that Alison was planning on riding 25 miles every day from May 9 for the 25 days up to her birthday however Alison had to change plans leading up to the challenge again.

This meant Alison would do use a combination of her bike and a static bike to complete her challenge but she would still be raising money for the two charities.

Alison said: "I completed day 11 today (Tuesday May 19), so that's 275 miles covered.

"I still have 14 days and 350 miles to go.

"Yesterday I had the Chief Fire Officer from Warwickshire, the Mayor of Kenilworth and my neighbours out cheering me onto the finish line.

"I have been mixing it up, mostly weekends using the static bike on my driveway and trying to get out on my bike during weekdays where possible."

So far Alison has raised more than £1,700 of her £2,500 target.

Alison's mother, Bimla Nakra, was born in India and came to England in 1965, she settled in Coventry around 1967.

Bimla died on May 9 2006 of Amyloidosis, which is a progressive disease which is caused by a build up of amyloid protein fibres in tissues and organs throughout the body which eventually causes vital organ failure.

Although treatable, the illness has no cure.

Alison added: "I want to raise money for the hospital that cared for my mother during her illness (UCL) and for the Firefighters Charity who provide mental, physical and social support to UK fire fighters in need, through the coronavirus crisis and beyond."

To donate go to: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AlisonInsley

Kenilworth firefighter nearly halfway through charity challenge