Oxfordshire girl raises money for cancer charity that supports her mum

Zara Green’s mum, Julie, was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. During the pandemic this came back as secondary cancer.

On Sunday, Zara raised nearly £2,000 to help the Hummingbird Centre – a cancer support centre in Bicester which has been helping their family since Mrs Green’s diagnosis.

The Bure Park Primary School pupil entered the Lark Ride Bike Ride after asking her mum what the word ‘charity’ meant.

Zara’s dad, Richard Green, helped her to set up a Just Giving Page, which can be donated to through this link.

Mrs Green, 45, said: “We’re really proud of her. Even though the race was increased by one-and-a-half-miles because of a diversion, she was set and ready to go.

“It’s amazing that she’s done this for The Hummingbird centre. It’s such a brilliant charity.

“She had been getting into cycling with my husband during the pandemic, so she decided she wanted to cycle to raise money.

“Family and friends have donated. Bure Park Primary School parents have donated. Our friends from Australia, and my husband’s work colleagues have donated.

“Everybody’s getting behind the fundraising effort because they couldn’t believe what happened to me with my diagnosis.”

Read more: Oxfordshire cancer charity to hold summer festival

Zara also managed to attract a few donations during the event.

On the starting line, she made friends with Amelia Berrie, a young girl who happens to be the daughter of the man who organises the Lark Rise Bike Ride.

After hearing Zara’s story, Amelia has donated all her sponsorship to Zara’s fund.

The tea and cake ladies – who heard Zara’s story whilst she was refuelling at the first drinks stop – have also donated to her cause.

Mrs Green said: “The Hummingbird Centre has supported our family and been there for us with my secondary breast, and now bone cancer diagnosis in the last five years.

“The charity makes you feel like you’re not alone. They support the whole family too. It’s lovely to know that there’s somewhere in Bicester I can go to. The CEO, Renee, even came to support Zara at the finish line.

“My daughter is so happy, she’s a lovely happy child, considering what’s happening with me. She’s always got a smile on her face. We’re so pleased with what she’s done.”

Read more from this author

This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1

A message from our Editor

Thank you for reading this story and supporting the Oxford Mail.

If you like what we do please consider getting a subscription for the Oxford Mail and in return we’ll give you unrestricted access with less adverts across our website from the latest news, investigations, features, and sport.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok for more. 

You can also join the conversation in our Facebook groups: stay ahead of traffic alerts here, keep up to date with the latest from court here, share your favourite memories of Oxford here, get your daily dose of celebrity news here and take some time out with news that will make you smile. 

If you’ve got a story for our reporters, send us your news here. You can also list an event for free here.