On July 3rd, along with approximately 19 other riders, I will set off on a six-day, 500 mile ride through western France from Saint-Malo to Biarritz. As if 500 miles wasn't enough, on July 9th, those that still have some legs left will tackle the famous Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees.

 

So why am I doing this with my hard-earned vacation days instead of relaxing on a beach somewhere? Good question. Aside from the personal challenge, I'm riding to support a charity that is doing some really good work and seek to leverage my efforts in that regard. That's where you come in.

 

Each of the riders have selected a charity they wish to support. The charity I'm riding for is ARK or Absolute Return for Kids. ARK is an international children's charity that focuses its efforts in three areas: Health, Education and Child Protection. Allow me to share with you just one example of ARK's work.

 

In the area of child protection, ARK is focusing on deinstitutionalization in Eastern Europe. Decades of research have documented the damage that being raised in large institutions can have on the emotional, physical, intellectual and social development of children. There is compelling evidence which shows how children taken out of institutions and cared for by families or in alternative, community-based care are able to thrive. ARK is seeking to bring an end to harmful institutional care and provide a model for action. In fact, ARK Bulgaria was recently honored for having successfully closed, for the first time in the country, an institution for children and for spearheading reform of the child protection system.

 

This is just one of many success stories in ARK's short history.  I would be highly appreciative if you would consider making a donation to help ARK to continue to expand its efforts to transform children's lives. You can learn more about ARK and its various programs on their website http://www.arkonline.org/. All of ARK's administrative costs are covered by its patrons so that 100% of your donations go directly to deliver ARK's programs for children. In keeping with this approach, all of the riders are fronting the costs of the trip as well.

 

Thanks so much for your support. It means a lot to me and even more to the kids that are served so well by ARK's programs.

 

Scott