Cycle charity helps to raise over £20,000
A Hinckley-based charity has raised more than £20,000 this year for community projects in Zambia through fundraising cycle challenges.
The U Foundation helps to raise money to contribute to school and community projects in developing countries, particularly Zambia in Southern Africa.
For the past 12 years, the charity have organised an annual cycle challenge from London to Paris, with an average of 30 riders usually taking part.
This year, two of their dedicated riders, Tom and Margaret Winskill embarked on a new challenge - the Four Countries - a 340 mile bike ride from Canterbury to Amsterdam.
Founder of The U Foundation, Sarah Elton says she was blown away by the amount the couple had raised to contribute to the overseas work the charity carries out.
She said: “Tom and Margaret have ridden to Paris with us several times before.
“I had been following their fundraising progress closely and could not believe the amount of money that was being raised.
“It is absolutely wonderful that this will be used to support a school that we built several years ago, in a remote part of Zambia.”
In total, the couple raised more than £1,600 for the charity by selling raffle tickets to win a unique handmade African quilt, with materials from Zambia, which Sarah described as a work of art.
The winner was picked by Trevor Page of Page and Sons bike shop in Hinckley.
After visiting the country numerous times, Sarah has seen first hand the difference the money can make, previous cycle challenges have raised enough money to build a nursery school which they are now expanding to Primary level, she explains: “These children have nothing, they all live in mud huts without electricity or running water.
“Most don’t have a decent pair of shoes, yet they make the hour walk to school each day. The young ones love going there to play each day, whilst the older children value the opportunity of a good education.
“We have been fundraising this year to provide power for the new school buildings and our two rides have raised enough money to do this, as well as provide funds towards building a new classroom block.
“By the time all of the funds come in we will have raised over £20,000 from these two events this year.”
The charity are now in the process of planning more fundraising cycle challenges, with the next one to take place in May 2019.
As well as building the nursery school, The U Foundation have raised money to put in several freshwater boreholes, allowing villagers to grow food year round and avoid having to collect water from crocodile infested rivers.
They have also sent containers of school furniture and books to help furnish the schools across different parts of Zambia and also have a sponsor a child programme, as well as sponsoring various students throughout their secondary education and college.
For more information on the charity, the work they carry out and how to get involved, visit their website at www. theufoundation.org or visit their page on social media.