An East Finchley woman has raised £10,000 for Cancer Research UK by undertaking a grueling bike ride just a week after her sister died of the disease.

Jessica Anderson, 23, embarked on the emotional ride from London to Oxford on August 4.

Her 32-year-old sister, Naomi Hemmant, died of bowel cancer on July 28.

Ms Anderson, an assistant buyer at Tesco, took part in the challenge riding a tandem with Mrs Hemmant’s husband Sam’s brother.

They were accompanied by 50 of Mrs Hemmant’s friends and family.

Ms Anderson has, so far, raised £10,000 for Cancer Research UK.

She said: “Although this is a difficult time for the family, the bike ride gave us something positive to focus on, brought us all together and would have been what Naomi wanted.

“I do not ride a bike very often but Naomi was a very keen cyclist and we actually using her and her husband’s tandem for the event.

“We decided on Oxford as the destination as it was where Naomi lived.

“We finished at the Churchill Hospital where Naomi received such fantastic treatment.”

Despite Mrs Hemmant dying all of her friends and family were keen to continue the ride.

Ms Anderson said: “It made us even more determined to complete the challenge and raise money to help support Cancer Research UK’s doctors, nurses and scientists beat cancer.

“We have been overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity and support so far.

“We hope that people in the future do not have to say ‘goodbye’ to their loved ones who suffer from cancer.”

Their fundraising will help support research into improving the early diagnosis and detection of cancer, helping to ensure more people receive treatment at a time when it is more likely to be successful.

To support Ms Anderson and the cyclists visit http://www.justgiving.com/The-Ride2012