Hi, my name's Peter Rimington and in a few months I'll be taking on the slightly crazy challenge of cycling over 400 km through Madagascar in aid of The Urology Foundation. On this page you can find out about the trip, the charity and also a little about me. This is a really worthy cause so please give whatever you can spare via justgiving.com (it's safe and secure).

 

The Trip

Madagascar is situated 400 km off the East coast of Africa and is one the most biodiverse countries in the world. Much of it is a combination of lush jungle and red earth, terrain which is beautiful but tricky to cycle through. Despite the natural beauty of the area, this will not be a holiday! Each day will comprise of on- and off-road cycling, zig-zagging up and down the forested hills. If we have any energy left, there will also occasionally be walking tours to spot some of the local wildlife, such a black-and-white and nocturnal lemurs.

Apart from the physical strain of all this cycling some of the other challenges my team and I will have to overcome may be dehydration, exhaustion, saddle sores and sunburn. Not to mention possible adverse reactions to the local cuisine and the far more worrying prospect of no cellphone reception.

 

The Cause

The Urology Foundation works towards the development and implementation of cures for urological diseases - everything from cancer to incontinence. They also fund a highly sought-after research scholarship and help to train surgical staff with using the robotic equipment necessary for keyhole surgery. This has a direct effect on patients as procedures done in this way usually heal much faster, meaning that patients can be up and about sooner.

The foundation's work can only continue with the dedicated support of people who give up their time and expertise to support their fundraising events, but equally important are those who are kind enough to donate funds for their continued work in medical education and research. Whether you decide to dig deep or just give the few spare pennies you have around, your donation can make a big difference to the lives of people suffering from illness.

 

About Me

I've been a consultant urologic surgeon in the UK for several years now and divide my time between clinics, surgery and (the bad side) admin. I also spend a fair amount of time teaching locally and abroad, introducing new ways of operating laparoscopically. When I have the time I also fish and spoil my two daughters, but at the moment a lot of this has had to be sidelined somewhat for the large amount of training that this trip requires! This is my opportunity to give something back to those who have helped so many. Honestly anything you can give will be a help, so thanks and God bless!

If you'd like to see more of me and where I'll be going, take a look at my photos!