Shani Cantor is used to taking to the stage and wowing audiences with her singing and dancing talents.

Eastern Daily Press: CYCLING FANATIC: Sarah Cantor.CYCLING FANATIC: Sarah Cantor. (Image: Archant)

But the 22-year-old from Kessingland, near Lowestoft took on a totally different challenge when she cycled the streets of London in memory of her sister.

Miss Cantor took part in the 26-mile London Bikeathon on Sunday, along with 4,000 other riders, in an effort to raise thousands of pounds for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

She raised more than £2,000 after completing the 18th bikeathon in aid of the blood cancer charity.

Miss Cantor, a resident performer at Chessington World of Adventures, took up the challenge as her sister Sarah, who died from leukaemia aged 25 in 1999, loved cycling.

She said: 'The favourite picture I have of my sister is her with her bike, smiling like she always did.

'There isn't a day goes by when I don't think about my sister. I continuously struggle with her passing – it devastates me just as much now as the minute I was told she was gone, and it never gets easier.

'When she died I vowed that everything I achieve in my life would be for the both of us.'

Miss Cantor wanted to thank all the 'wonderful people' who had made donations in support of her bike ride, which she said had an 'electric atmosphere' as she cycled around London.

Miss Cantor's father Kenny, 75, who runs Cantors Theatre Schools with his wife Caron, said he was delighted his daughter's efforts – and those of all the other cyclists – raised such a big sum for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

'My other daughter, Sarah, died in my arms of this dreadful cancer,' he said.

'It's an emotion that, as a

parent, will most certainly never leave me.'

Mr Cantor's father, Terry, also died from blood cancer.

Last year, thousands of cyclists raised £830,000 in the bikeathon to help the fight against blood cancer.

Matt Lawley, head of sports events at Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, said: 'We are constantly inspired by the stories of those fund-raising for us and the dedication of supporters like Shani.

'Every penny raised for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research will help us in our mission – stopping people from dying and making patients' lives better.'

To support Miss Cantor's fundraising, visit https://leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk/people/shani-cantor/london-bikeathon-2014