Inspirational four-year-old Sheffield girl takes on 100 MILE charity cycling challenge

Chelsea Ellis 4 is taking on a 100 mile cycling challenge to raise money for the Rethink Mental Illness charity.

Little dynamo Chelsea Ellis, who has only just learned to ride a bike without stabilisers is using pedal power to follow in Captain Tom’s footsteps.

Her mum Keeley Ellis said: “She is absolutely amazing.

"She’s only been able to ride properly for two days It’s a big challenge but she’s doing great.”

The three mile a day challenge is hot on the heels of a 100 mile walk the pair did for the Bone Marrow Trust in February which raised more than £200.

“Chelsea had an amazing response for her last charity event, that she has decided to go for another one,” said Keeley.

“It’s for Rethink Mental Illness and when I was younger before I had Chelsea I suffered really badly and needed their services.

"Chelsea just loves making people happy and when I explained to her what it was she said she definitely wanted to do it and help people who are sad.

Most people who know me, know I had some very hard battles with mental health throughout growing up which led to substance abuse throughout my teenage years – none now of course. I relied on Rethink for support in a crisis house.“Chelsea wants to do this in order for awareness to be spread and for people who are struggling like mummy did.

"So while she’s doing her challenge she's doing little acts of kindness along her way and she's written notes to hang outside for people needing help with the number of people who can help in a crisis – and some kind words.”

Keeley and Chelsea’s dad Jason Haynes, originally from Handsworth contacted several football clubs who have donated, including Sheffield United, Rotherham and Doncaster FC as well as Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Crystal Palace ,Stoke City and Norwich City.

They have set up a Facebook page called ‘Chelsea’s fundraiser for Rethink Mental Illness’, where people can donate and get the latest news on her progress.

All donations go to Rethink Mental Illness, which is a mental health charity based in England leading the way to a better life for everyone affected by mental illness.

http://www.rethink.org/