Dad and daughter ready to set out on 135-mile ride in memory of her great-grandfather

Jessica Wood, 11, and dad Ryan, 36, from Elba Park in Shiney Row, began riding together during the pandemic to feel better and fitter, clocking up almost 500 miles in total.

Now they are due to begin the Coast to Coast, setting out at Whitehaven in Cumbria to Roker’s seafront today, Thursday, August 20.

They will use the four-day experience to fundraise for the Alzheimer’s Society, as Jessica’s late grandfather James Kennedy, a retired Sunderland city centre firefighter who died in January 2018, just two days before his 92nd birthday, had the disease.

They will take a break to join in celebrations for her great-grandmother, James’s wife Irene, as she marks her 98th birthday on Saturday, August 22, before picking up where they left off.

Field engineer Ryan, who is married to nurse Jenette, 35, and are also parents to Toby, five, said he was looking forward to spending time with Jessica, who is due to begin classes at Hermitage Academy in Chester-le-Street.

He said: “Jessica is a very active and outgoing child, she does every sport at school on every team possible and was even selected to be part of the talented and gift sports programme through Durham schools.

"We were out once a day as you were allowed, but it did not seem enough for her.

“I love riding my pedal bike and with being put on furlough I was then able to spend my time on my bike.

"Jessica saw me going out and asked to join me one day.

“After a few weeks, she really got into it and started going further and further and loving every minute of it.

"Jessica was very close to her great granddad and even towards the end his face would light up every time he saw her, and so she wanted to try and raise some money to help the Alzheimer’s Society.”

Donations to their fund can be pledged via https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/JessicaWood2009.

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