10 Challenges for Owen: Hucknall siblings complete 'brutal' 200 mile cycle ride to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity in memory of their late brother

A brother and sister from Hucknall completed the final leg of a 200-mile bike ride yesterday (Monday 4 July) in memory of their late brother.

Hannah and Andrew Jowitt cycled from Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester to Trent Bridge and then from the home of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club to Lord's in a challenge that spanned three days.

The cycle ride formed part of ten sporting challenges the Jowitt family and their friends are undertaking to raise money for the brain tumour charity in honour of Owen Jowitt.

Owen was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumour back in 2001, when he was just two years of age. He had lifesaving surgery and chemotherapy which left him paralysed down one side of his body and his face.

Tragically, having beaten cancer, Owen died suddenly in 2012 at the age of 13.

To mark ten years since his passing Hannah had the idea to set up a number of sporting challenges to raise money for charity.

It had been intended that the cycle ride would take two days but the intensity of it meant that the pair elected to pause on Sunday evening 50 miles short of Lord's and finish it off on Monday.

Speaking to Hucknall Nub News, Hannah described it as: "The toughest thing I've put my body through."

She continued: "I think we massively underestimated the physical challenge going over the Peaks basically, so it wasn't only the distance being covered but the amount of elevation; it was brutal."

The pair cycled over 70 miles on both Saturday and Sunday, which took around 12 hours on each day.

They made the decision to stop at about 7:30pm on Sunday evening so they could get some more rest and recovery before returning to complete it the following day.

Asked about her emotions when they reached Lord's, Hannah said: "Massive relief and pride.

"A lot of people had said it to us, and we felt it too, that from the pain that we were in on that Sunday night it took a lot to get back on our bikes. Two things got me back on my bike: my stubbornness and the fact that we were doing it for Owen. He'd have been that stubborn and he'd have got back on, we couldn't let him down."

Like Hannah, Andrew also found the challenge incredibly demanding. Speaking to Hucknall Nub News, he added: "The challenge was really tough. It felt like for every downhill section there were a billion hills! For me day two was a real struggle. The Peaks on the first day were really hard to cycle up and it definitely made it hard on the legs the day after.

"I'm feeling both relieved but also proud of us both for completing the ride. I don't think I'll be taking up a cycle ride for a little bit!

"I'm so chuffed at all of the support we have had from people over the past six months. Thank you to everyone for their time and supportive messages. A massive thank you to Emma, Milly and Ryan #Teamcar for their amazing support over the ride!"

In 2012, the siblings, along with their friend Joe, had attempted to complete a charity cycle ride from Land's End to John o' Groats in 2012 but understandably made the decision to cancel it halfway through when Owen suddenly passed away.

When asked if completing this challenge had helped with closure, Hannah said: "I definitely felt like we had unfinished business with the ride. Although we were quite conscious that we didn't want to do Land's End John o' Groats again for various reasons, absolutely I think this has managed to put a bit of closure on it."

As of Tuesday evening (5 July) the total amount raised by everyone involved in the various challenges is £13,475 but this is expected to rise as there are a couple of other challenges still to be completed.

Andrew said: "I can't thank everyone enough for their generosity. It's going to an absolutely amazing cause!"

"The fact that we're just short of £14,000 at the minute and that's not including any money we've raised from the auction or various other events that we've still got to come is a massive sign of how much people look up to Owen really. And the fact that we're doing it in memory of him it is really touching actually that we can raise so much, I think it says a lot about him. To be where we are has absolutely blown my mind," concluded Hannah.

Anyone wishing to donate to the cause can do so by visiting the Just Giving page which can be found by clicking here.