A UNIVERSITY student is cycling over 400 miles for cystic fibrosis this summer.

Stephanie Cowling (23) is pedalling along the west coast of France from St Malo to Hossegor on 23 August and is aiming to do it in ten days.

She was motivated to raise money for cystic fibrosis after studying it as part of her physiotherapy degree at Plymouth University. She also has a friend who is a CF sufferer.

‘I wanted a challenge for the summer and I thought why not raise money for charity?’ she said. ‘I think cystic fibrosis is a really good cause. The charity does research into treatment and cause and the life expectancy has gone up from 30 to 40 in just a few years.

‘A friend of mine has it and with my physiotherapy degree I work with a lot of CF patients. My friend has to fly to the UK every year to have check-ups. He was really keen for me to do the cycle.’

Miss Cowling has bought several road maps to plan her route and has been cycling everyday to prepare for her challenge.

‘I want to do it in ten days,’ she said. ‘That’s probably very ambitious but I don’t like to do things by halves!’

And the prospect of cycling such a long distance on her own is something Miss Cowling is looking forward to. ‘I would rather do it on my own so that I don’t have the pressure of people saying I have to go at a certain pace,’ she said. ‘I can do my own thing and get there in my own time at my own pace.’

Strapped on to the back of Miss Cowling’s bike will be her essentials – a sleeping bag and tent.

‘I’m going to camp,’ she said. ‘I might stay at a bed and breakfast when I am in the north of France because the weather will not be as good as the south. ‘But when I get to the coast I will just camp.’

Miss Cowling has raised £200 so far but hopes to make £500 for the charity. ‘People have been really generous,’ she said. ‘I hope to raise £500 – I would be really happy with that. I’m really excited. I still can’t believe I’m actually doing it.’

To sponsor Miss Cowling and help her raise money for cystic fibrosis, please visit her website http://www.justgiving.com/stephaniecowling