In November Peter reached 60 , whilst Anne will be 60 next year when we shall have been married for 30 years. In celebration, (desperation) we are undertaking the Tour d' Afrique cycle journey, which takes 4 months and averages 120-150km riding per day, on the basis that if we deferred the trip we may never go.
We have made a number of cycle journeys in the past, across Europe and also in Japan, India and Sri Lanka, but this will be in quite a different league of difficulty, endurance & commitment. The total distance is nearly 12,000 kilometres through 9 countries.For much more information on this & other possible journeys see www. tourdafrique.com. You might even be inspired to join or emulate us & certainly if anyone would like to meet us along the way or take part in one of the 8 stages we couldn't be more pleased.
In the circumstances, there is an expectation that we would ask friends, relatives, colleagues & former colleagues to contribute to some good causes, matching our efforts, but certainly not on a pence per mile basis.
3 causes have agreed enthusiastically to be associated with our venture. They are :
* The HALO Trust, which is the world's oldest and largest humanitarian landmine clearance organisation. This cause was suggested by our son, Jonny, who is something of an Africanist. It would be difficult to conceive of a more worthy beneficiary of your generosity.
* Plantlife International which works for plant conservation globally. Anne is a botanist & friends are involved in this charity,which, with the threat of environmental degredation, speaks for itself.
*Jersey Hospice Care is the island's Hospice; all its services are available to anyone and provided at no cost to the patient or their family. This is therefore a local charity but it is a cause which should be important to all of us.
Of the 3 causes , 2, HALO & Plantlife, are UK charities & as such have linked pages to this website, so you can donate online choosing how much, if any, to donate between the 2 charities. UK tax payers are able to donate under the gift aid scheme which increases the value of their donation by 25%-just tick the box if appropriate.
The 3rd cause, Jersey Hospice Care is a Jersey charity. Donations can be made through www.jerseyhospicecare.com/sponsorme, selecting ‘Tour d’Afrique’ as the event. Then select our names from the list (we are the only names listed, although some 60 riders from a number of jurisdictions are expected to participate in the Tour) and then proceed, as you would with any other online payment. Jersey resident tax payers making a single lump sum donation exceeding £100 can complete a certificate allowing the Hospice to recover Jersey income tax on the donation.
