In February 2010 I along with nearly 50 others will be cycling between Vietnam and Cambodia, two of the countries most affected by mines and abandoned ordnance.
The 460km journey will commence in Ho Chi Minh City and finish at the world heritage site of Angkor Wat. I will also meet with MAG staff in Cambodia – the heroes dedicating their lives to removing landmines and other remnants of conflict.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Mines Advisory Group gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
90% of MAG's income goes towards clearance programs and returning villages and their families to relative normality. Typical costs include:
£2,000 could pay for a metal detector
£550 will help to make a remote, safe and controlled explosion with an electronic exploder
£220 is the price of a flak jacket for a deminer which could save a life
£40 could provide protective headwear such as helmets with visors
£30 could buy a pair of sturdy boots
£20 could buy overalls for a deminer
£15 is enough to field a fully trained and equipped local deminer for one day
Cambodia is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. MAG has been working heresince 1992, no one knows how many landmines remain in the country but estimations are between four and six million. What is known is that from 2001 to the present day nearly 5,000 Cambodian children and adults have been reported as maimed or killed by weapons left behind after decades of conflict.
MAG has been working in central Vietnam since 1999, particularly in the Quang Tri province, which saw the majority of fighting during the 1960s and 1970s. Military reports indicate that approximately 20% of’s land is still contaminated by the 350,000 to 800,000 tonnes of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left as a legacy of conflicts. According to UNICEF, between 1975 and 2000 there were 44,000 UXO related accidents reported in Vietnam.
MAG’s work in Cambodia and Vietnam does not just save lives; it clears the path to rural development. The extent of contamination means that much of the rural population lives day-to-day with the threat of injury or death outside their door. MAG is committed to reducing the threat of injury and death by clearing land that will increase the social and economic opportunities of the local community through providing safe access to agricultural area, schools, wells, health clinics and other community resources.
I hope you agree that this is a worthwhile charity and you will be will be willing to support me in what is bound to be a challenging but ultimately satisfying adventure.
If you want to donate directly then download my sponsorship form from here and send it back to MAG.
So please dig deep and donate now.
