Please support the Fun Zim Ride!

Now completed - 5 days early!  Funds still needed to enable the orphanage to open.

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Asher Mupasi and Richard Pantlin will be cycling from Bulawayo to Harare in Zimbabwe from 31 March to 18 April 2009 for 600kms - with a sense of fun.  Richard will be dressed as a clown and we will be visiting schools with balloons.

The money raised through this site goes straight to support two orphanages in Zimbabwe via HELP Zimbabwe - part of HELP International.  Please give generously!

Richard writes:  Why do I want to do a crazy thing like cycling 660kms through a country most people in England think is very dangerous and short of basic foods?

a) to spread awareness of the situation in Zimbabwe - yes, many people are struggling but they can also be friendly and hospitable

b) to raise funds for a few excellent projects being run by good people

c) because even at 50 I will be able to (I trust) while the healthy life expectancy in Zim is 34

Fun? Yes, I'm determined it will be despite the situation out there.  There has been a lot of fear which some fun might counteract.  More details at www.funzimride.co.uk.

En route, we will stop at some historic spots:  Rhodes Memorial in the Matopos, Great Zimbabwe and others.  We English share some history with Zimbabweans.  It's why I have some personal contacts there.  A greater appreciation of our shared and separate histories will help us build better futures for Europe and Africa.

So please support us whatever way you can - a good start is donating to through this website.

£20 will provide food for a month.  £50 will buy two bunk beds.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: HELP Zimbabwe (part of HELP International) will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.  More details of the charity at http://www.helpinternational.co.uk

I will cover costs such as flights myself (unlike other charity treks) and am taking unpaid leave. So please sponsor us now!

Many thanks for your support.

Note that the amount raised offline includes funds raised for ZANE for this event.