A fab 50th birthday bash + biking charity challenge in Africa
After the Events & Entertainment team attended our inspiring friend Claire Brennan’s next-level, end-of-summer 50th birthday party last month, we were blown away again when she then took on an epic challenge in the name of charity.
“I had such an amazing day!” Claire tells me on catching up shortly after her brilliant birthday bash, while her husband, Tony, discloses, “Claire always organises all the fun things we do in our lives, so we went to the effort of organising her special birthday bash for her.”
Kili to Coast - going solo on an African adventure
And just weeks after celebrating the big 5-0 at her colourful garden party marking her milestone birthday, keen cyclist Claire went on a huge African adventure, all in aid of great causes.
“So, apparently turning 50 wasn’t enough of a challenge!” says the birthday girl. “I decided to cycle over 400km in Tanzania over five consecutive days, on a mountain bike, in the African heat, and on roads that are definitely not built for comfort. What could possibly go wrong?!!”
One of Tony’s birthday presents for Claire was the charity trip she’d been dreaming of doing, meaning every single penny donated goes directly to the charities.
Inspirational Claire flew out to Africa at the beginning of this month. “The last time I took on a cycling fundraising challenge was back in 2017. Since then, I’ve got a little ( ) older, had knee surgery, and discovered that fitness is much easier to talk about than actually achieve!” she reveals.
“To add to the adventure, I did this without anyone I knew, meaning there were no familiar faces to moan to when my legs stopped working.”
Saddle sore & pushing the boundaries in the name of charity
The motivation behind her phenomenal two-wheeled adventure? “I took on this challenge to prove to myself that I’m still capable of pushing beyond my comfort zone. But much more importantly, I did it to raise money for two amazing charities: Breast Cancer Now and Ovarian Cancer Action.”
“Like so many people, cancer has touched my life. I lost my lovely mum to cancer in 2019, and I know too many others whose lives have been turned upside down by the disease. I decided that, if my aching legs, sore bum and questionable decision-making could help raise money for research, support and earlier diagnosis, then every kilometre was worth it.”
Making magical memories
Pedalling in over 30°c heat, with a knee complaint to boot, what were the biggest challenges and the highlights of her African cycling experience?
“I honestly couldn’t have anticipated just how tough this challenge would be, or how incredible it would feel to come out the other side having done it,” she divulges. “Some tough riding, with plenty of moments where I questioned what on earth I was doing, plus terrible tan lines, too (!), I was wondering why I didn’t just ask for a new handbag for my birthday instead!”
“But the experience left me with amazing memories I’ll never forget. The absolute highlight was sharing this adventure with such an incredible, inspiring and supportive group of women. Having listened to their experiences and challenges, I have learnt what resilience and courage truly looks like.”
And you can support Claire’s epic challenge in aid of two amazing cancer charities at