Cycling team is Scotland-bound for five-year-old Phoebe Roskell and Dyskeratosis Congenita research

A team of dedicated cyclists is taking part in a 200-mile trek to Scotland and back to raise vital funds for Garstang girl Phoebe Roskell.
Phoebe Roskell with brother Woody in the cycling tops that the team will wear.Phoebe Roskell with brother Woody in the cycling tops that the team will wear.
Phoebe Roskell with brother Woody in the cycling tops that the team will wear.

Five-year-old Phoebe, from Catterall, suffers from one in a million genetic condition called Dyskeratosis Congenita (DC), a complex and incurable disorder that prematurely ages cells and organs.

Late last year she was given a new lease of life thanks to eight-year-old brother Woody, who donated six million stem cells in attempts to correct bone marrow failure.

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Woody Roskell (right) underwent a bone marrow transplant to give sister Phoebe a fighting chance against Dyskeratosis Congenita.Woody Roskell (right) underwent a bone marrow transplant to give sister Phoebe a fighting chance against Dyskeratosis Congenita.
Woody Roskell (right) underwent a bone marrow transplant to give sister Phoebe a fighting chance against Dyskeratosis Congenita.
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Organiser of the ride, Paul Baillie, from Scorton, said: “It’s so rare that funding for it is very low so we’re trying to raise money for the charity that supports patients and their families, as well as funding new research.”

The 38-year-old added: “Seeing Phoebe’s story and a few of the things to raise funds I thought I do a lot of cycling anyway so got a few of the lads together and it just took off from there.

“Everyone is doing well over 100 miles each now. Between us in the last week we did a combined 1,400 miles.”

Taking place on Saturday, May 12, the 200-mile ride will set off from the Roskell home in Catterall, calling at Kendal, Penrith, and Carlisle before turning around at Gretna Green and returning home through the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Woody and Phoebe.Woody and Phoebe.
Woody and Phoebe.
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The team of cyclists include members of Phoebe’s family in Jacquie’s brother-in-law and nephew, Roland and Tom Kelsall.

Phoebe’s mum, Jacquie Roskell, said: “It’s just amazing and humbling for us. We can’t believe how kind people can be.”

“It’s about research now to find a cure. Phoebe’s Fund stands at over £6,000 now. Hopefully we can get a few more thousand before we donate it to Dyskeratosis Congenita Outreach in America who have led the way in research.”

More than £1,000 has already been raised from the bike ride, which has yet to be added to the total fund to fight DC.

• You can donate to Phoebe’s Fund and the fight against Dyskeratosis Congenita at www.gofundme.com/n7cv9b-phoebes-fund