Britain's Biggest Cycling Fan - Lauren Booth
This summer we've been searching for Britain's Biggest Cycling Fan. You have voted and we are delighted to announce that Lauren Booth has been crowned Britain’s Biggest Cycling Fan. Read Lauren’s incredible story below.
Lauren's mum Lisajayne writes...
At just six weeks old Lauren contracted meningitis. After a three week battle with the disease, doctors predicted she would never walk, talk or have any quality of life. Hospital check-ups and scans showed that Lauren had permanent brain damage, deafness and cerebral palsy.
When she was four years old Lauren was desperate to be independent but due to her disabilities, mobility was restricted. With help from the Meningitis Trust Lauren was given a specially adapted trike. This started a love for cycling. The independence gained helped build her self confidence and let her escape into ‘Lauren’s World’.
She has since defied the medics by learning, through sheer determination, to ride a ‘normal’ bike. In 2008 she took up the challenge of taking part in road racing. She's been was ranked as high as 4th in her category and age group by British Cycling.
Lauren’s determination and passion for cycling now includes track cycling. Aged seven she started to ride at the velodrome in Newport. With both cerebral palsy and deafness her doctors were surprised that she was able to balance and ride on the track.
December 2009 Lauren attended a disability open day in Newport. She enjoyed a two hour session riding with future and current Paralympians, and was asked to join sessions with the Federation of Disability Sport Wales, training every Saturday.
Lauren’s love for cycling isn’t her only participation in the sport. I'm sure that there aren’t many eleven-year-olds who have posters of Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and Bradley Wiggins on their bedroom walls!
Laurens cycling achievements have also been used to raise awareness of meningitis, working closely with the Meningitis Trust. To date she has raised over £22,000.
