My motivation

My motivation to participate in a 160km cycling challenge was part personal, part altruistic. A very infrequent rider who is highly pain-averse, I approached cycling with trepidation. This event appealed to me as a direct challenge to that irrational fear. That this also allows me to contribute directly to children who most need help sealed the deal. The training commitment is big, but like all endurance events, enjoying the journey is part of the achievement. In addition to general fitness and bike skills and endurance training, I am also committed to managing my personal demons on the road. Please support me by contributing generously to children whose opportunities are limited by their birth. Education is one of the only levelers for these families. Please join me in helping those who are unable to access the opportunities most of us have enjoyed. 

The Story of Save the Children: 

Children in Cambodia and Philippines are born into some of the most impoverished conditions in the region. Less than a third of children have access to early childhood care and development services, with disastrous results for their education. Many children do not complete primary education and some leave school unable to read at all. The beneficiary, First Read, aims to help these families better their circumstances through literacy and education. Your donation will go towards creating opportunities for those who are unable to help themselves.   Education is the key out of the vicious cycle of poverty. Enable children born into circumstances they cannot control. Bring hope to families deprived of opportunity. Empower the next generation to achieve breakthroughs.  

Beneficiary:  Funds raised will go towards benefitting the children and parents of First Read - Save the Children and Prudential’s innovative early learning programme in Cambodia and Philippines, supported by Prudence Foundation.   With your help we can continue to:

• Train parents and caregivers in Cambodia and Philippines on the best techniques for engaging with their children
• Give children the books, skills and knowledge they need to fulfil their potential
• Influence local and national authorities in Cambodia and Philippines to continue to invest in Early Learning

• To ensure that pre-school children in the Philippines and Cambodia get the best start in life and help them stay in school to achieve their full potential
• Parents and caregivers are children’s first and best teachers. First Read empowers parents and caregivers to help young children develop essential literacy and numeracy skills as well as train them on child health, nutrition and social and emotional development. Together we will be able help over 216,000 children directly and indirectly.

• To accelerate child development by:
• Developing exciting and engaging age appropriate children’s books in local languages
• Donating these books to families so they can read to their young children
• Training parents to incorporate talking, signing, counting and reading into everyday life with children