How you can join celebs for 187-mile ride charity bike ride across India in memory of Sun fitness guru Nicki Waterman who died after battling rare brain tumour
We are giving two readers the chance to join Nicki's pal Denise Van Outen and team of celebrities in March next year to help raise funds for Brain Tumour Research charity
CELEBS are getting behind the charity bike ride inspired by Sun fitness expert Nicki Waterman.
Last week we told how, following Nicki’s death from a rare and ferocious brain tumour, her daughter Alex Thrussell and friend Denise Van Outen joined forces with the Sun on Sunday to launch the Nicki Waterman Kerala Challenge.
The group will be cycling 187 miles across India to raise awareness and funds for the charity Brain Tumour Research to improve survival rates across the UK.
Now a host of celebrities - all close friends of Nicki - have backed the challenge, and YOU can join them.
Nicki’s friend and client, All Saints’ Natalie Appleton said: “I miss our daily runs in Hampstead Heath. She shouldn’t have been taken too soon.
“More money needs to be invested in brain tumour research to stop people dying like her.
“It is great The Sun on Sunday is running this campaign. Cycling across India is a gruelling fitness challenge - and Nicki would have loved the idea of it.
“She was a passionate sportsperson and she would have loved every single moment of that ride, as well as build up to it.”
Natalie’s sister Nicole Appleton said: “If Nicki is looking down on all of us now she would be thrilled to see how people are raising money and awareness for Brain Tumour Research - all while getting fit in the process.
“I miss her every day. Digging deep and donating money could stop others from dying too soon. That’s just the sort of legacy she deserves.”
In her final days, 53-year-old Nicki told family, friends and celebrity clients: “There is nothing you can do for me now – but please help others.”
TV presenter Penny Smith, who worked with Nicki on GMTV, said: “I have fond memories of Nicki helping people push their boundaries and achieve things they never thought possible through fitness - and I’m sure this cycle ride will push those boundaries of those taking part.
“It is wonderful that The Sun on Sunday is helping raise money for brain tumour patients in her name - donations raised as a result of this challenge could help other people with brain tumours defy a terrible prognosis in years to come.”
TV presenter Ben Shephard said: “There’s nothing Nicki loved more than a fitness challenge - and she would have loved this one.
“It is great that The Sun on Sunday continues to keep her legacy alive by raising money for Brain Tumour Research. I’m sure it would make her proud.”
Nicki, a doting grandmother of two, was diagnosed with the rare and aggressive brain tumour the size of a golf ball in May last year.
Doctors said she would be lucky to live until February, but in March she revealed the tumour had shrunk — only for it to return months later. She passed away in August.
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Even after she knew it was too late to fight for her own life, she fought on for others.
She trialled groundbreaking immune therapy treatment, suffering horrendous side-effects, and lobbied the Government to invest more in brain tumour research.
She also campaigned to get the treatment she underwent widely available on the NHS.
Her close friend and client, Denise said: “By doing this challenge we hope to help save the lives of others who are struck with the same condition.”
We are giving two readers the chance to join Denise, Alex and a team of celebrities in March next year.
The six-day trip - backed by Skechers, which is also covering the challenge costs for one of our lucky Sun on Sunday winners - will include five days of cycling in Kerala, on the south west coast of India.
The longest day will be seven hours, travelling over 55miles.
The Nicki Waterman Kerala Challenge (#NWKC2017) will go to Cochin, explore the backwaters of Kerala, cycle to a wildlife park, visit a tropical rainforest and trek through coffee and spice plantations.
There will be visits to the Periyar tiger reserve, Kodanad Elephant Rescue Centre and the chance to try local produce.
Accommodation will be in guesthouses and house boats and riders will be able to chat to workers in tea plantations.
Email [email protected] with Nicki Waterman Kerala Challenge in the subject line and in no more than 250 words explain who you are nominating and why.
To make a donation, go to .