Photo courtesy Cycling 4 Water.
“I want to cycle across Canada in 2014. Do you want to join me?”
This bucket list question was part of a conversation between Mike Woodard and Rob Montgomery, two long-time friends, that has become Cycling 4 Water: a ride across Canada to raise awareness and funds, in partnership with GAiN, for water wells in Africa. Three others – two other cyclists, Timo and Richard, and Jacquie, Richard’s wife, who will drive the support vehicle – are now joining them on this close to 8500 km journey from Victoria, BC to St. Johns.
Why cycle for water?
When we want a drink of water, we grab a glass and turn on the tap. We barely give it a second thought. This is not the case for millions of women and children in rural Africa. They walk an hour or two, carry a heavy container of water back home and hope they have enough for their family. Not only is the water difficult to obtain, but it also often carries disease. A deep-capped well that delivers clean water saves lives, improves health and transforms an entire community.
GAiN is the worldwide humanitarian arm of Cru, dedicated to bringing hope and tangible help to the poor and the suffering. Their mission is to demonstrate the love of God, in word and deed, to hurting and needy people around the world through relief and development projects.
GAiN is part of a diverse, global network with offices in Canada, United States, Germany, Australia, Austria, South Korea, Holland and Spain. With distribution networks established throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas, their compassionate reach is truly global in scale.
GAiN’s "Water for Life Initiative" has already provided 829 water wells, giving 829,000 villagers disease-free water.
WHEN? July 1 - August 23, 2014
HOW FAR IS THE RIDE? Approximately 8,500 km
HOW FAR DO YOU RIDE EACH DAY? Approximately 200 km
WHERE DOES THE RIDE START? Victoria, BC
WHERE DOES THE RIDE END? St. Johns, Newfoundland
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THE CYCLING 4 WATER TEAM? 4 riders and 1 driver/media & communications coordinator
WHAT IS THE CAUSE? Clean water through Global Aid Network (GAiN)’s Water for Life Initiative
WHAT IS THE GOAL? Raise awareness of the desperate need for clean water as well as raise funds for 60 water wells in Africa, resulting in 60,000 villagers with disease-free water
Follow the team on Facebook and Twitter as they start their ride next week!
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