The Challenge saw 12 volunteers from the transport & logistics industry and beyond commit to a personal fundraising target of £2,750 each, together with a strict training regime to join Transaid’s inaugural overseas challenge event. A total of £33,000 in sponsorship has been raised so far, with the money still rolling in.

 

The group spent five days cycling from the capital city Lilongwe along undulating roads and dust tracks to the spectacular town of Nkhata Bay. They also spent some time at Transaid’s bicycle ambulance project which has manufactured trailers that can be fixed onto the back of bicycles to transport sick or pregnant villagers to hospital, sometimes up to 30 km away.

 

Speaking of her experience on the trip, Nicola Slater of the Institution of Highways and Transportation said: “The cycle ride was tough but we were encouraged all the way by the local people who were so warm and welcoming.”

 

“It was wonderful to visit the bicycle ambulance workshop to see the difference that our efforts can make on the ground. It was a fantastic feeling to play a small part in the vital work that Transaid does, an experience that I would recommend to anyone,” she added.

 

Also amongst the group were challengers from MAN ERF, CILT (UK), Freightliner, Network Rail and JA Mackenzie Haulage.

 

Transaid has just confirmed its next challenge event – Cycle Kenya, a bike ride through Kenya’s breathtaking Rift Valley in November 2007. To download an info pack and itinerary, visit www.transaid.org/support-us/events-and-appeals

 

ends

 

Note to Editor: Malawi is a small, landlocked country in the South East of Africa. It is one of the world’s poorest countries. The majority of the population live on less than a dollar a day and life expectancy is just 41.

 

Transaid (www.transaid.org) is an international development agency that aims to improve people’s quality of life in the developing world by making transport more available and affordable. It was founded by Save The Children and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) and works by sharing skills and knowledge with local people to enable them to put in place and manage efficient transport systems.

 

Transaid’s core work includes creating transport management systems for the public sector and assisting with the provision of professional driving qualification development and the training of driver trainers. It also assists with teaching preventive vehicle maintenance management and introducing local, low cost transport solutions including its innovative bicycle ambulance. Transaid also helps promote HIV, AIDS and road safety awareness and shares its specialist knowledge with the humanitarian aid sector.

 

Transaid enjoys strong backing from the transport and logistics industry and the active involvement of its patron, HRH The Princess Royal.

 

For further press information:

Geri McCotter at Transaid on +44 (0)20 7387 8136

James Keeler at Garnett Keeler on +44 (0)20 8399 1184

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