An inspirational woman from West Liss is following in the trail of an Olympian by getting on her bike to change the conversation around Stage 4 cancer.

Rachelle Voysey will take on Sir Chris Hoy’s ‘Tour De 4” cycling challenge this Sunday – just five months after a bout of major surgery for Stage 4 bowel cancer.

The 56-year-old has worked with a specialist physio to build up her fitness and confidence ahead of a 30-minute cycle at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support (MCS).

And with a personal best also in her sights, she’s gearing up for Glasgow having also raised nearly £9,000 for a cause that’s changed her life immeasurably.

Rachelle, who has a background in biomedical sciences, was a healthy mum and a popular member of the Liss Cycling Team until just over two years ago.

She spotted blood after a night of severe bloating and unusual bowel movements, prompting a trip to the GP in Petersfield and a six-week wait for a colonoscopy.

She said: “I had an acute attack of symptoms in a short space of time – I’m ever the scientist and I just had a sense that something was wrong.

“The wait for a colonoscopy was six weeks and life slows down because you’ve got this prolonged period.

“That’s where MacMillan came in. I started talking and counselling, and being able to talk to a third party helped me enormously.

“It helped me to talk to my close friends and family. It was a huge shock and there were a lot of emotions.”

Sir Chris Hoy is supporting an M&S Campaign to highlight prostate cancer checks.
Sir Chris Hoy is behind the Tour De 4 challenge. (M&S)

And being a keen cyclist, Rachelle found a kindred spirit in multiple Olympic medal-winner and fellow Stage 4 cancer patient, Sir Chris Hoy.

Sir Chris’ vision for his Tour De 4 challenge is to bring together people living with Stage 4 cancer and those around them, while sending a hugely positive message.

She said: “Sir Chris Hoy talks a lot about psychology and thinking about things you can’t control.

“When you’re in treatment you only think about places you don’t think about. That spurred me on and helped me.

“The Tour De 4 so important to me because it’s there to educate. Having Stage 4 cancer doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to die in three weeks’ time – you can still live a rich and fulfilling life with it.”

With the help of a nutritionist, physios and a close support team of family and friends she calls her “cheerleaders”, Rachelle is on the cusp of completing her goal, reaching the 25-minute mark last weekend.

She originally set a modest £500 target so Rachelle has been blown away by her fundraising progress. She calls her MCS counsellor her “life coach” while the support she’s received from her nutritionist, physio and the Midhurst Palliative Care team has been incredible.

She said: “I’m so lucky I’ve got the most amazing family and a group of close friends have stuck by me since diagnosis – it just spurs you on.”

To donate look for Rachelle Voysey on www.gofundme.com