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From the 17^th to 21^st of September 2015, I will be taking part in the Atlantic-to-the-Mediterranean cycling challenge to support the Akshaya Patra Foundation’s Nepal Earthquake Fund. Akshaya Patra operate kitchens in Nepal to provide food to the victims of the devastating earthquakes this year.

Over 5 days, the cycling challenge will cover 720 km (447 miles) of distance and 11,000 m (36,000 ft) of climbs encompassing some of the most challenging mountain passes featured in previous Tour de France routes. Our route will closely follow the ‘Randonneur’ version of the Raid Pyrenéen, from Hendaye on the Atlantic coast near the Spanish border to Cerbère on the Mediterranean coast. I am aiming to raise £20,000 / $30,000 / €24,000 for the Nepal Kitchen Fund.

Nepal ranks 145^th of 187 countries on the Human Development Index (2014). In April a large earthquake devastated the country that was already struggling with persistent, high level of poverty and hunger. Major aftershocks in May exacerbated the already desperate situation. The deaths, physical damage, such as the destruction of the Kathmandu Durbar Square where I stood in awe some 26 years ago, and the economic loss are truly regrettable. The physical, emotional and financial losses suffered by the survivors are beyond imagination. One basic necessity that they need is food.

In a country with only a basic level of infrastructure, a lot of which was destroyed in the earthquakes, distribution of aid is a significant challenge. Add to that the lack of equipment, expertise and a complex political environment, and we end up with inefficiencies in helping those that are desperate.

Akshaya Patra’s core activity is providing mid-day meals to disadvantaged primary school children in India. Their expertise is running kitchens to feed those in need. On 19^th of June, with seed funding from Tata Trust, they set up and started operating a kitchen in Bhaktapur, Nepal to distribute prepared food to victims in 11 locations. The kitchen has the capacity to make 100,000 meals per day, about 10 batches of 10,000 meals per day.

Supporting Akshaya Patra’s Nepal Earthquake Fund is important to me because it provides efficient and effective help to the earthquake victims. You might recall that I had raised funds for Akshaya Patra 2 years ago for their core activity in India. Today, I am seeking your support for an extraordinary disaster relief initiative being run by an organisation with the right expertise and experience.

The Raid Pyrenéen route includes extremely demanding climbs and changeable weather conditions, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge and raising money for Akshaya Patra.

Thank you very much for your support. Please visit my blog for fundraising updates:  http://wp.me/2oTps.