Cycling for charity

What would inspire a medical doctor who cares for terminally ill cancer patients, and a cancer survivor to ride from London to Paris with 400 cyclists, riding 105 miles daily for three days in order to raise money for charity? You would literally have to spend a week with Dr Jacqueline Pereira Sabga, and the charismatic Cherise Stauble going through their paces in training in order to understand the discipline and determination of these women.

Dr Sabga, a general practitioner, chairman and medical director of Vitas House Hospice, and Cherise, a retired clinical psychologist both consider themselves ordinary women doing extraordinary things. In 2014, these women along with five other mothers, sisters and wives ranging from ages 35 to 52 forged a sisterhood of unexpected friendship known as ‘Team Bucketlisters’. Their single goal was to successfully complete a half marathon together.

What subsequently emerged from this group with no prior experience in endurance sport is so impressive, that it can inspire anyone. They have competed in a number of endurance events including the Miami and Boston Marathons, and Olympic distance triathlons. In 2016, with a team from Trinidad and Tobago known as the ‘Augusta 6’ they successfully completed their first Ironman 70.3 which consists of a 1,900 metre swim, 90 kilometre ride and finishes with a half marathon.

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