CHARITY’S AFRICAN CYCLE RIDE RAISES £45K
27 November 2013
More than a dozen cyclists from the transport industry battled the heat and unforgiving terrain of Uganda to raise £45,000 for Transaid in its 15th anniversary year.
The riders cycled 430km across the country to raise vital funds for the charity’s essential work that improves access to basic services for people across Africa through the implementation of alternative transport solutions. The event was the last of three physical challenges organised by Transaid during 2013, which has also seen charitable supporters trek up Mount Snowdon and cycle from London to Amsterdam.
Transaid’s Event Manager, Florence Bearman, who joined the Uganda challenge, says: “Taking part in the cycle was an unbelievable experience and I feel incredibly proud to have been part of such a worthwhile fundraising event. We’ve arranged a number of exciting challenges throughout this year to help make our 15th anniversary one to remember, but we definitely saved the best until last.
“Not only did the challengers get to explore the beautiful African landscape but they all got to see first-hand where the money raised through events like this go, showing what a difference Transaid makes to people’s lives.”
The five day-ride saw the participants visit some of Africa’s most stunning locations, as well as cycling past baboons, buffalo and an incredible variety of birds. Other highlights included seeing nearly 40 per cent of Uganda’s Rhino population, spending an hour in the company of wild chimpanzees and visiting the breathtaking Murchison Falls.
Transaid’s Chief Executive, Gary Forster, adds: “Transaid’s calendar has been packed full of events to help us celebrate our 15th anniversary year and raise as much money as possible to help keep our projects running.
“We’re incredibly grateful to all our challengers and although the road was tough at some points, all riders successfully reached the finish line and found the trip incredibly rewarding.”
Participants included riders from Cidrew Ltd, Lafarge Tarmac, Michelin, Pattonair and The Forest Company.
For more information about Transaid or to find out how you can support the charity visit www.transaid.org.
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Note to Editor:
Transaid (www.transaid.org) is an international development agency that aims to improve people’s quality of life in the developing world by making transport more available and affordable. It was founded by Save theChildren and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) and works by sharing skills and knowledge with local people to enable them to put in place and manage efficient transport systems.
Transaid’s core work includes creating transport management systems for the public sector and assisting with the provision of professional driving qualification development and the training of driver trainers. It also assists with teaching preventive vehicle maintenance management and introducing local, low cost transport solutions including its innovative bicycle ambulance. Transaid also helps promote HIV, AIDS and road safety awareness and shares its specialist knowledge with the humanitarian aid sector.
Transaid enjoys strong backing from the transport and logistics industry and the active involvement of its patron, HRH The Princess Royal.
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