Many of you will already know that Zimbabwe is a country close to my heart. Samantha and I first visited in 2006 with World Vision where we had been sponsoring a girl for several years. We sponsored her younger sister as a result of the trip and then did more fundraising for the community, returning with Saul in 2012 to visit the girls, their family and see for ourselves the amazing changes that World Vision had been instrumental in bringing about, check out our blogg here: http://www.worldvision.org.uk/news-and-views/blog/20131/august/wonderful-reunion-my-sponsored-children-zimbabwe/

We recently heard about a new opportunity to meet a need in Zimbabwe, The Girls Education Challenge :

The crisis in Zimbabwe in recent years, has meant families have to reassess their priorities and finances. In a context where less importance is held for girls education, families are choosing that their sons go to school, and their daughters stay at home to help and earn money for the family. 21% of women in Zimbabwe have given birth before the age of 18.

These girls are missing their education and this will affect the future development of the community.

This project will help their parents to increase their income, and therefore be able to keep their daughters in school. We will also be working with support groups to encourage the girls through their education. This work will support 49,000 girls, across 500 schools in Zimbabwe.

This work is being done in partnership with the department for International Development (DiFID), who will match every pound given turning £1 into £6.50. So if you can help me reach my target, £2117 that will become a massive £13,760.50!

Will you consider giving to help? Just £1 per mile, is all I need to raise, so if 100 of you will donate 1p per mile (thats £21.17 each) we can reach my target, and with Gift Aid (for those of you who are able), we can beat the match target of £13,760.50 ! 

Of course, Im very happy for you to give more if you are able!

The Ride is between 14th and 21st June 2014, we would really appreciate your prayers for safety, health, and a successful, trouble free ride (and of course for some good weather!).

Please note that all riders are covering their own costs in full. Every £1 you give will go straight to World Vision without any costs being taken out.