Rob Parish - The Hard Way Round

Without the luxuries of Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boreman, but inspired by their cause and sharing their passion for biking, I have decided to give myself my toughest challenge in life to date in aid of helping others less fortunate than ourselves.

I think it is valuable and enlightening to understand the harder things in life when appreciating the luxuries that we have, and test ourselves to the limit which those in African third world countries have to deal with every day.

 

Why Help?

We continue our everyday lives without even a second thought about the luxuries that we have.  From getting up in the morning for a hot shower, cup of tea, drive to work, hot meal of our choice in the evening and a warm bed to sleep in at night.  Now imagine having none of those things.  Having to walk miles simply for water, let alone a cup of tea. Having no education therefore not knowing how to drive or even get a job, and only eating what is available to you at night.

I think for all of us, we would find this incredibly difficult, almost impossible.  We struggle with constraints as simple as the hose pipe ban!

Couple the above with the dangers and threats that surround the people of Africa and it not only makes you feel encouraged to help, but compelled to.  The following poster placed on the wall by the children of Shitima School (Zambia) speaks volumes of their courage and determination to succeed, and should inspire us all.

 

Zamcog - Enduro Africa:

Rome wasn’t built in a day!  Similarly, people like us; teachers, parents and Brothers of the Sacred Heart, have come together to form a charity known as Zamcog to help vulnerable children in Africa.  It is the children that are the future of the nation, and by educating and supporting them, they are able to help them create and sustain their own future (and generations that follow) without our continued support.

Zamcog are inspirational in their passion for change and the work they have done to create schools to help educate, shelter, and feed children from all types of backgrounds (orphans, street kids, etc..).

The video link below provides a much more detailed and accurate insight into the fantastic work that Zamcog are doing:

 

http://www.zamcog.org.uk/media/video1.php

 

In partnership with Enduro Africa, Zamcog are coordinating a sponsored off-road ride in one of the continent's most incredible and challenging landscapes, the Wild Coast of South Africa.

The aim of Zamcog's Enduro Africa is to raise at least £100,000 for the valuable work that the charity are doing in Zambia.

The event happens between 27th August - 5th September 2010 and involves 5 days of tough off-road riding, supported by a world class team.

Zamcog's goal is to establish a self-sustaining route, through education, for children who can transform themselves from being those who have no hope, to being those that are the hope fro Zambia's future.

The work that Zamcog and Enduro Africa achieve is inspirational, and has the highest level of support from people like myself to Prince Harry and William.

 

How am I getting involved?

The locations of the schools that Zamcog have built and run are located in some of Africa’s wildest landscapes, without the luxuries of developed highways for ease of access.  This subsequently prevents scheduled deliveries of every day produce to help support villages in day to day life, including food, water, medicine, and infrastructure support (sanitation & utilities).

Zamcog have teamed up with EnduroAfrica (in conjunction with Riders for Health) to take a limited group of 25 people across Africa’s toughest terrain to visit the schools and villages that Zamcog support, to show that there are many of us supporting the development of these children.  The group will travel on off-road motorcycles as the only form of transport capable to addressing the wild landscapes of the Wild Coast.  Riders will be pushed to their physical and mental abilities to reach these remote locations (often beyond their talent and capabilities) and experience the struggle that the people of Zambia have to deal with through every day life.

 

My Sponsorship:

My individual target is to raise at least £5000.  The funds will go directly to Zamcog in association with their Zamcog Enduro Africa Event.

Any donations would be much appreciated and going towards a great cause.

 

Thank you!