Iona will cycle round the world to raise funds for a new classroom at Banda Hill Primary School, Malawi and also to support her sister in a quest to raise awareness and vital funds to support young people with mental health issues in Aberdeenshire through local charity, Networks for Wellbeing.

Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Africa with only 53% of children currently finishing PRIMARY school. Education is essential in helping people lift themselves out of poverty and, on a recent trip to the country, Iona witnessed the difference an inspiring learning environment can make. Inspire Malawi is a small UK based charity helping communities to build classrooms for their children to continue their learning.

Everyone knows someone who has suffered from mental illness and has needed help. Networks of Wellbeing (NoW) is an inclusive and diverse organisation which promotes and supports people in improving their mental health and wellbeing in the area I grew up in.

The Challenge!

Iona will pedal her way from Roscoff, France to Venice, Italy in July 2017, then drop down to Cape Town in 2018 and pedal to Kenya’s east coast (through Malawi). Then it's cycling from Kathmandu, Nepal to Mandalay, Myanmar (making up the India/China miles by cycling as many coast to coast events across Britain and other famous UK routes as possible in Summer 2018!). A quick hop across Australia from Perth to Sydney in 2019 and then it's the final stint across the USA the same year. Sometimes on the road alone and sometimes with friends, old and new, She hopes she can make it. With your support she's sure she can!

Training has already begun, slightly delayed by being knocked off her bike by a car which left her with a rather swollen knee! She is back in the saddle again now and aiming to do lots of training rides and races across Wiltshire and further afield. The North Coast 500 was completed over 8 days in May 2017. Her journey from Roscoff begins 2nd July 2017.