A ringgit for your thoughts

David Wu is embarking on the ride of his life as he cycles across the globe in aid of children suffering from cancer, writes

THE midday sun is nipping at my skin while the humidity shows no mercy as I hunt for some shade and reprieve under the trees at Taman Jaya Park, Petaling Jaya. I chastise myself for not wearing a more appropriate outfit. Thankfully, I do not need to wait long as I spot my interviewee pedalling swiftly towards me.

From afar, David Wu looks like any other young teen riding his BMX.

However, I soon realise that his customised two-wheeler is in fact a sleek black electrical-assist bicycle that costs a whopping RM2,500.

This restaurateur and philanthropist, who recently turned 50, is pledging himself to a daunting challenge.

He will be setting off on Aug 31 (coinciding with the country’s Independence Day) to cycle across continents, all in the name of charity.

His campaign, “One Ringgit, One Malaysian”, is in aid of children suffering from cancer. All donations from the public will be channelled to the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (NCSM). His journey will see him traverse all Seven Wonders of the World, with each milestone to be documented on his social media pages.

“There are no donations too small,” says Wu, adding: “All I ask for is that you give generously while I provide you interactive entertainment for the next two years. It’s cheaper than watching a movie at the cinemas. Really! And you can even have fun speculating whether I’ve died or not when I go missing from the airwaves for a week.”

Alighting from his bicycle, Wu demonstrates just how easy it is to reassemble his mode of transportation.

“Do you want to try riding it?” he offers. My clumsy attempts to mount it are clearly giving him palpitations. Gingerly, I return it with an apologetic grin. What I find most intriguing about the bicycle are the wheels, which are smaller than those found on any BMX I’ve ever ridden.

“Are you sure you can ride this to the Seven Wonders of the World?” I ask in disbelief.

“Ya, why not?” replies Wu, unfazed.

OTHER CALLINGS

The affable chap isn’t alien to formidable undertakings. In 2015, he undertook a solo walk from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Baru, Kelantan.

It took him 25 days to complete the challenge. The money collected went into rebuilding several homes that were destroyed in the flood that plagued the town just a year before that.

This particular undertaking was creatively named project Wumah — a combination of his surname and the word

(the Malay word for house).

A year later, he made another notable attempt for Project Wumah 2. This time, he cycled more than 4,000km from his hometown in Alor Setar, Kedah, to his ancestral home in Taishan, China. That challenge took him about two months and across four countries.

“That was my first time cycling so far and across borders,” reveals Wu, adding: “It was terrifying, of course, but I’m not someone who gives up easily. Unless I’m incapacitated or have broken a few bones, I’ll make sure I finish what I’ve started.”

The funds collected from his second campaign went into rebuilding selected dilapidated homes around Malaysia.

“There are many people in need here and it’s sad when we sweep them under the rug,” he shares.

However, he admits that the amount he has raised so far is small and he

acknowledges that it may not be able to help everyone.

“But helping one is better than none, right?” he asks, a challenging note in his voice.

A CHANGE, A PUSH

Cheekily, Wu cites midlife crisis as the main reason for his “stunts”.

“Both my children are adults now and I don’t have many responsibilities. So it just makes sense,” he says.

He confesses that it was his sister’s passing after succumbing to cancer two