A group of 52 people (47 men and 5 women) will participate in a challenge which sees them cycle 350 km from Bhuj to Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The cyclists are in the age group of 24 to 57 with at least 19 of them being over 40 years of age. The majority of them have no history of cycling. Their aim is to raise funds for two charities in India.
They will converge in India from several countries namely Australia, Kenya, India and England to take part in this epic challenge. The idea was the brainchild of three friends - Sanjay Kerai, Prakash Patel and Sailesh Patel. All three had previously completed a cycle challenge riding across the Sahara. Sanjay later in 2016 organised a bike ride. He arranged for a group of cyclists to take a journey of 30 miles to help raise awareness for Haven House Hospice. This helps raise the profile of cycling within a group of youth who were quick to sign up to the notion of a bike ride in India.
With the awareness raised and interest peaked, the boys soon went into action and started devising a plan of action to try and actually make this happen. In October 2016 they raised £20,000. The team have been training for several months, having tackled many mini challenges within their preparations such as Biggins Hill. There have been accidents and injuries throughout their training but that did not discourage the participants and they continue to peddle.
This weekend saw the cyclists host a fundraising dinner and dance which helped them raise £100,000. They are still in need of donations and you can make a donation by visiting www.mydonate.bt.com/events/mandir2mandir
The funds thus raised will be given to Urja Trust and AAWC (Apne Aap Women’s Collective). Both of these charities are based in India and aim to help young women who have been abandoned, adolescent young girls, women forced into prostitution etc. They help fight against human trafficking and work hard to give these young girls and their children the opportunity to a better standard of life, some dignity and pride.
The charities have been specifically chosen for the work they do and Prakash Patel and his wife have even been to India to visit them both. The challenge that these brave men and women have accepted is no mean feat and they have their work cut out, but we have the utmost faith that each and every one of them will make it to their final destination with a big satisfying smile on their face.
