I'm cycling from Newcastle to Birmingham to raise awareness for children's health

Heather Lambert is cycling from Newcastle to Birmingham this weekend to raise awareness for the health issues of children living in polluted cities.

The retired paediatrician, who is from Newcastle, is set to be one of hundreds of cyclists from across the country who will be involved in the Ride For Their Lives.

The bike ride was put together by health professionals who are campaigning for cleaner air and better health outcomes for children living in cities.

Out of all the cyclists taking part, Heather will be making one of the longest bike rides having chosen to cycle more than 200 miles to England's second city.

Heather has set a trend for long-distance cycling after she biked to the same event in Glasgow last year and as a result, has inspired several others to cycle to Birmingham this time.

She commented: “Several cyclists were impressed I’d ridden to last year’s event so this year some decided to join me, cycling from places like Bristol, Nottingham, Derby, Leeds and London.

“We called ourselves Spokes in the Hub because the hub is Birmingham and we’re like spokes in the wheel.”

Heather set off on her 200-mile journey on Thursday, March 21, to ensure that she'd make it in time for the event on Sunday (March 24).

She has given an insight into why she is making the journey for a cause that is close to her heart.

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Heather added: “I'm cycling because it’s no exaggeration to say that a silent killer is suffocating our children.

"Air pollution directly affects the health of our children and as a children’s doctor, I feel a duty to try and improve it."

“There’s now very detailed scientific evidence that air pollution increases conditions like asthma, lung disease and chest diseases and that children are affected most of all because they breathe faster and their bodies are still developing.

“Not only is it important to highlight that fact on behalf of young people who don’t have a voice but we also want to show that active travel can be a healthier and more fulfilling way for us to live our lives.

“The increase in the risk and danger is linked to the climate crisis and to protect the public we need to look at cutting back on all fossil fuels, from coal oil and gas to wood stoves and wherever possible, we should encourage walking and cycling wherever possible.”

The Ride For Their Lives will begin on Sunday afternoon in central Birmingham, where it will perform a loop around the city's roads, which will be closed to motor vehicles.