A worthy cause
After enjoying the luxury of a proper
shower at our hotel in Delhi, we set off across the Yamuna River to visit a
mule-powered brick kiln. It’s amazing what The Brooke has done here in two
years. The families proudly show us the horse clippers, first-aid kits and
water pumps that The Brooke has encouraged them to use. We visit a women’s
centre, where women and children now have a vital role in the community, caring
for the animals’ husbandry. The animals are living longer and their work is
more productive, generating a greater income for the 400 families who work at
the kiln. I know now this adventure has been in aid of a very worthwhile cause.
You can do it
To take part in the India Challenge, each
supporter was asked to raise $2779 for The Brooke. This covered food,
transport, accommodation and a charity donation. Find details of The Brooke’s
next adventure at TheBrooke.org. Thanks to Mountain Horse for providing the
riding kit. Horsemasters.co.uk.
Sarah Kershaw Hops on her fundraising bike and pedals
400km in Southeast Asia
Day 1
Thanks to my mum, I’ve raised $4,950 and
I’m here to ride 400km over five days through Vietnam and Cambodia. Lord
Winston, head of the Genesis Research Trust (funding research into fertility,
IVF and stillbirth), once operated on Mum: I (half-jokingly) suggested we sign
up to this challenge as a thank you. Two years of fundraising and training
later, and we’re in Ho Chi Minh City with 70-odd other women. We’re a mass of
nerves as we start on the first of many seemingly endless roads.
Cycling is commonplace in Cambodia
Day 2
We’re at the Cambodian border, and it’s our
first experience of the searching heat. But the scenery is worth it: water
buffalo grazing, men in conical hats herding ducks on the paddy fields and
rubber plantations. An unexpected bonus of the trip is eating as much of the
delicious sweet-and-sour dishes, fried rice and tasty steamed veg as we can
just to keep our legs moving. We stop everywhere from Buddhist temples to local
house, where kind families offer fresh fruit and their hammocks for our achy
legs.
Bayon
Temple
Day 3
Our hotels have been pretty basic so far
but, having seen the poverty (an average Cambodian household income is only
$285 - $375 a year), we’re just grateful for a mattress and a cold shower. As
we go along, our guide, Mr Kim, tells us about Cambodia’s grueling war-torn
history. But, despite their circumstances, every single child waves, smiles and
shouts hello: it makes all the difference after pedaling 60km, with another
35km to go before bed! Today we’re really feeling the heat, but we boost each
other’s morale and finish with a push over the Mekong River at sunset it’s all
downhill from here!
Mekong
River
Day 4
There’s a sense of renewed vigour as we set
off early while it’s still cool. My muscles have adjusted and it now feels
natural to get on my bike. There’s so much to see: a colourful Cambodian
wedding, golden pagodas glinting in the sunshine, schoolkids riding alongside
us. We’re getting closer to our destination of Siem Reap and the temples of
Angkor Wat and, as we dine on delicious spicy tom yam soup, there’s an air of
excited anticipation for tomorrow.
a
colourful Cambodian wedding
Day 5
We made it! We shout words of encouragement
on the last sweep down the wide boulevards of Siem Reap and, as the temple
spires of Angkor Wat appear, we’re all fighting back happy tears. It’s been
extra-special to be able to do this with Mum; I’m so proud of her. On the
flight home, I think about the women and babies we’ve helped with our money. I
can’t wait for the next challenge…
The
temples of Angkor Wat
You can do it
The Genesis Research Trust organizes
cycling and trekking trips all over the world; register now for Cycle Sri Lanka
2013. Fundraising targets vary, and extra costs such as visas, flight taxes and
travel insurance are not included.
