This Friday, a team of 11 cyclists will take on the Arc to Arch Challenge – riding from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to Marble Arch in London, all whilst wearing Taylor Swift-inspired costumes!

Covering more than 300km in just 24 hours, it’s going to be tough, but they have a very special reason to keep pedalling. They’re riding for a brave 7-year-old girl called Rori.

For the past 20 months, Rori,  from Appleton in Oxfordshire, has been battling cancer. During that time, she has gone through more than any child ever should, yet she continues to show remarkable strength, resilience, and spirit every single day.

When Rori was 5 her parents, Izzy and Ed, took her to A&E when they noticed blood in her urine.

The following day, Rori was diagnosed with stage 5 Wilms tumour, meaning the cancer had affected both kidneys and had also spread to both lungs.

Treatment began immediately. Over the following year, Rori underwent countless rounds of chemotherapy, as well as major surgery to remove her left kidney and part of her right kidney. 

Just as she was nearing the end of chemotherapy, the cancer returned in her lungs, requiring further surgery. She then underwent inpatient chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Finally, she had high-dose chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. Her treatment has just finished, and she is currently recovering and waiting to have her central line removed.

Wanting to do something to support the family, Duncan Williams, a school friend of Rori's mum, got in touch to ask how he could help. Together with friends, they came up with the idea of organising a fundraising bike ride. 

After rallying friends and family, some experienced cyclists and others, complete novices, they assembled a team of 11 riders ready to take on the challenge from France to London. The team have already raised over £46,000 for Oxford Hospitals Charity to help local children in hospital. 

The team will finish their journey at Buckingham Palace, where Rori, along with her family and friends, will be waiting to welcome them with a celebratory picnic.

Rori's Uncle Wilf, one of the cyclists, said: "Rori is full of personality, loves all things pink, and has a way of lifting the people around her, even on the hardest days."

Rori had a Taylor Swift-themed party for her to celebrate her recovery and birthday, as she spent her 7th birthday in isolation following a stem cell transplant. Rori has requested the riders take on the challenge in Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour-inspired fancy dress, so expect plenty of sequins, sparkle and maybe a few questionable costume choices along the way!

Rori will be waiting for them at the finish line with her two little sisters wearing her own Taylor Swift-inspired "Fearless" dress from her birthday party. 

Gemma Cole, Community Fundraising Manager at Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: “We wish all 11 cyclists the very best of luck as they take on this remarkable journey, and we're so grateful for every mile they ride, which will help to ensure other children and families facing the toughest of times can receive the same exceptional care and support.”

If you would like to sponsor Team Ride for Rori, please click here