Bike challenge 'hardest thing I've done', TV chef says

TV chef Rosemary Shrager has reached Sussex on her 450-mile bike challenge; raising money for food poverty charities.

Native to Wadhurst, East Sussex, the 74-year-old began her journey on 1 June at Land's End, Cornwall, and plans to reach the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent by 18 June.

Arriving to Walthambrooks Nature Reserve on Wednesday, her goal for 12 June is to cycle to East Grinstead with Iwan Thomas, a Welsh sprinter, and hopes to raise £100,000 for the Hendry Foundation from the full journey.

The chef told BBC Radio Sussex: "It has been the hardest thing I've ever done, going up all the hills of Cornwall and Devon - falling over six times."

Mrs Shrager said she was "shocked" and "appalled" to learn of reports that 11% of the UK lives with food insecurity.

Charity Trussell, aiming to end hunger, said 9.3 million people - including one in five children - are facing hunger and hardship within the UK in a 2024 report.

"I have a voice - being in the food industry, people might listen to me," Mrs Shrager said.

The chef told the BBC that the she had to relearn how to ride for the challenge and has been covering up to 50 miles per day on an electric bike.

Meeting "pensioners who can't afford to make ends meet" and "young people with children who can't afford to feed them" has spurred her on between checkpoints.

"People have been very sweet and kind because it can be lonely when you're on your own," Mrs Shrager added.

She said she is also visiting charities that will support her Two Wheels for Meals fundraiser during the challenge.

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