Story
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #a52a2a;">Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #a52a2a;">On 30th May 2010 I fly to Johannesburg, South Africa for roughly 6 weeks where I will enjoy(hopefully) watching England's progress in the football World Cup.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #a52a2a;">Then the fun starts! I will be taking my bike with me and will pedal the 8000 or so miles home to Cornwall through Africa, then Italy,Spain & France - taking as long as it will take - a year or whatever. </span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #a52a2a;">It will I think be an amazing journey - and is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I have been planning, researching and buying my kit & bike for a year now & I hope to share my experiences along the ride with you via a blog I will set up.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #a52a2a;">I have decided to take the opportunity to raise some money for charity while doing the ride and have chosen 'Children in Crossfire'. Those of you who know me well will know that Mum has supported this charity for the past 2 years with her treks to Cuba & Peru + running Barcelona half marathon. You will also know that I did a few months voluntary work, teaching children in Tanzania in 2008 - I loved the country & it's people and look forward to returning and looking up old friends. What we didn't know when Mum was introduced to this charity was that the majority of their work is supporting & funding projects in Tanzania and Ethiopia. One of their main areas of work is a small town in Tanzania called Moshi - which happened to be the town I lived and worked in. The coincidence was amazing - Africa is a pretty huge continent and Moshi is a very small town! The charity funds projects that eventually 'give children the chance to choose' - via health improvements like water treatment plants, baby & child clinics plus education via schools and teaching aids.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #a52a2a;">So - because of my ride being through Africa & my previous work with the children in Moshi & Mum's involvement with Children in Crossfire - it seemed the perfect charity to support. Hopefully when I cycle through Tanzania & Ethiopia I will get to meet with the charity's local organisers and see the projects myself. </span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #a52a2a;">Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #a52a2a;">So please dig deep and donate now. You will help make a difference to many children's lives.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #a52a2a;">Thanks.</span></em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em><span style="color: #a52a2a;">Oliver</span></em></strong></p>