A sporty Old Bradfordian who had to undergo reconstructive surgery following a serious injury has been inspired to raise thousands for charity by dog sledding 240km across the Arctic.
Alicia Cumberland, 20, from Ilkley, will spend five days sledding in near freezing temperatures across Norway, Sweden and Finland, on an expedition organised through the Students’ Union ‘raise and give’ (RAG) team at Loughborough University, where she is a third year Geography student.
A former pupil at Bradford Grammar School (BGS), where she was heavily involved in sport, Alicia decided to take part in the fundraiser after a knee injury left her needing major surgery and 12 months of rehabilitation. She hopes to raise over £3,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
She explained: “I’ve always played a lot of sport; while at BGS I played hockey every day either at school or at my local club, in Ben Rhydding. At university, I was really active until I ruptured my anterior cruciate ligament and all sports and activities had to stop.
“It was life changing for me. I underwent reconstructive surgery and spent a lot of time in hospital. The recovery process isn’t fast and rehabilitation on the knee will take 12 months. I’m very grateful to the NHS and that’s made me want to give back in some way.”
The ‘Dog Arctic Rag Expedition’ will see Alicia and a team of fundraisers cross 240km of snow-covered terrain in a sled drawn by a pack of huskies, and camp overnight in tents for five days, in April this year.
She said: “I’m training hard to regain the 2kg of muscle loss on my right leg and get back a full range of movement on my knee. It’ll be a challenge to be prepared and healthy in time for the expedition.
“However, it is giving me something to work towards and helping to keep me focused on my recovery. I am determined to complete the challenge and want to raise as much as possible for charity.”
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting around six in every ten people with dementia in the UK, and, as yet, there is no cure. Alicia added: “I have friends who have lost family members to Alzheimer’s disease, and I know how devastating it is to lose a grandparent, so this is my way of giving back to a very worthwhile cause.”
Dr Simon Hinchliffe, Headmaster of BGS where Alicia attended in 2013 – 2020, said: “Charitable giving and community involvement is an integral part of school life at BGS – we encourage pupils to enrich their own lives by giving to others – so it’s always rewarding to hear from Old Bradfordians who are carrying that ethos through life and doing something worthwhile. We wish Alicia the very best with both her recovery and superb fundraising efforts.”
For more information about Alicia’s expedition or to donate please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/aliciacumberland
“… I am determined to complete the challenge and want to raise as much as possible for charity.”
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