I have successfully completed a 500 mile cycle ride across Spain from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela on the traditional pilgrimage route in support of a friend raising money for a major project to improve water supplies in a large area of western Zambia. Gavin Marshall rode the whole 1,000 miles from Le Puy in central France and a number of others including myself cycled part of the route. Our overall target is £35,000 and I am trying to raise £6,500 personally, including matched funding.

The project we are supporting is the Mongu Development Project in Western Zambia, a particularly impoverished area in which there are few clean water sources and sanitation is poor. For example it is estimated that less than 4% of the rural population has access to usable latrines. The aim of the project is to improve the health of rural communities through the provision of clean water. The first year of this 3 year project should benefit 15,400 people in 20 communities and 10 schools. By the end of the third year 46,000 people should be enjoying clean water. 

What will reaching my target  of £6,500 mean? 

A heck of a lot as far as the local people are concerned.

It will provide a community well, a brick-lined well, a school bore hole, a scoop hole, a school latrine and a community latrine

So do please help us to reach our target - this really will make a difference to those in need! (And don't forget to tick the Gift Aid box!)