London to Brighton cycle ride in memory of Emily

For my dearest daughter Emily, 

“Each second, of each hour, of each day, of each year I wish you were still here.

Sadly, you are not. This heartbreak has set in motion a deep desire to complete

a trip, our magical trip we had once planned together as mother and daughter.

You were only a young girl then full of hopes and dreams. We had time…….

Your precious time on this earthly dimension came to end my sweetness on

May 9 th 2023. On this day, the invisible killer, mental health, took you from us,

prematurely.

Cycling was your passion, the closest thing to flying- fearless freedom and your

way to connect with nature and the world around you, which you so dearly

loved. I suppose your love of cycling sprung from my love of cycling. All through

my pregnancy with you, I cycled hoping my then unborn child, you, would be

fitter and healthier. At 9 months I carefully placed you in the bicycle chair and

took you for long rides in Epping Forest. By the age of 3yrs you were cycling

your own 3-wheeler often cycling around the playground at nursery. You

progressed onto a 2-wheeler shortly afterwards insisting you didn’t need

stabilisers and you were right you didn’t. A love of cycling had been fostered.”

 

As a tribute to my beautiful Emily on the 10 th and 11 th of May 2024, I will be

completing the cycling trip which we had dreamed about together but never

happened for us. I will cycle on Emily’s beloved bicycle from London to

Brighton, as a tribute to her. I know I won’t be alone, for she will be by my side

with every push, every tear and every bitter sweet smile.

Part of my quest is a personal goal of raising funds for a memorial mosaic for

Emily which will be located at her beloved secondary school – Walthamstow

School for Girls in London. The mosaic will be created by local artist Maud

Milton, based on William Morris design. Just like William Morris, Emily loved

art, nature and had a special connection with the majestic Epping Forest.  

Emily knew every stone, every piece of moss in Epping Forest. She would often

lead us and her friends through the forest off the beaten paths on our cycling

trips or long hikes followed by her beloved dog Toby. He never left her side on

these beautiful outings.

The second part of my quest is to raise awareness and to help prevent suicide

the biggest killer of people aged 35 and under in the UK. Some of the funds

raised will also be donated to Papyrus UK. This deserving charity is dedicated

to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and

wellbeing in young people (Papyrus.uk.org).

 After the trauma of losing a beloved child and the resulting devastation it has

had on my family, I vowed to help prevent other families from having to

endure such pain and suffering. However, heartbreak does not need to have an

unhappy ending. It can open the door to helping other young people with

mental health issues and help prevent premature deaths like Emily's.

Emily's passing will not be in vain.

In Emily's memory, I am hoping to raise £10,000 for a mosaic dedicated to her

honour and for the charity Papyrus. I would be very grateful if you could make

a donation, no amount is too little. 100% of the donations received will be

used for both these worthy causes.

“Cycling is easy, its just like flying, tilt your head back look up the skies and

dream” Emily Burns