Motivated by Chris Froome’s double win in the Tour de France, Yvette Healey says she will be pushing herself to the limit by cycling 100 miles on August 2 to raise money for children and adults with a rare genetic disorder.

Yvette, 46, from Salisbury, says she has never cycled this distance before, but has been motivated to take part because “so few people understand what Prader-Willi Syndrome is”.

“Fifty miles is as far as I have gone, so this distance in Prudential RideLondon will be a first for me,” she said, with trepidation.

“But I really feel that Prader-Willi Syndrome is not very well known in the wider community and I feel saddened when I read stories in the newspapers where families are really struggling to get support for their loved ones, but if they have the right treatment and support, life expectancy is increased.

“Priory Adult Care (formerly Craegmoor), where I work, has several homes that support people who have Prader-Willi Syndrome and they do a really fantastic job supporting residents, helping them reduce weight and maintain a healthy weight to ensure that the risks associated with the syndrome, and obesity, are reduced.

“They work very closely with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association and I just wanted to show my appreciation by raising some funds.” 

Ms Healey, who works as a referrals and assessment manager, hopes to raise more the £700 - cheered on by friends, colleagues and her partner Mark Anderson.

“Knowing that the people who are getting the appropriate care treatment are able to live healthy fulfilled lives is a real motivation,” she said.

Prader-Willi Syndrome is a genetic condition that causes a wide range of problems including a constant desire to eat food, which seems driven by a permanent feeling of hunger and can easily lead to dangerous weight gain, restricted growth, and reduced muscle tone. 

The condition is rare, affecting no more than one in every 15,000 children born in England.

Although there is currently no cure, continuing research does offer effective treatments and hope for a cure one day. Growth hormone treatment can improve muscle tone and stature. Sex hormone treatment can address hormone imbalance. And a regulated lifestyle with dietary control supported by input from nutritionists and dietitians does have a positive impact on health and body weight.

Priory Adult Care, provides specialist community-based support and enablement services for people who have individual needs associated with a learning disability, autism, Asperger Syndrome, or a mental health condition.

Prudential RideLondon, developed by the Mayor of London in partnership with Surrey County Council, is the largest festival of cycling in the world with more than 95,000 participants expected to cycle more than three million miles in five events during the weekend of 1-2 August.

Amateur cyclists participate by riding a 100-mile challenge on the same closed roads as the professional road race, raising millions for good causes.

For more information on the specialist services Priory Adult Care can offer, please call the enquiries and referrals team on 0808 208 2147 or click here to make an enquiry.