Aug 2009: Sponsored Cycle Ride ZAP North2South

Four women raise thousands of pounds after visiting Jambiani -   LATEST NEWS! £5,000 Raised!

Last Easter, four teachers (from Headington in Oxford, and Holme Grange, Berks) stayed in Jambiani and were so impressed with ZAP’s work that they contacted us, and offered to bike from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise funds. Lucy, Lyn, Anisha and Nadia (Exeter undergraduate) set off on their 950 mile journey on August 10th, arriving on August 26th.

Most unfairly, the weather was very unkind, with heavy rain not only delaying their progress but also marring many of the stunning views en route; however, they completed the gruelling journey in good spirits, and their accomplishment was spectacularly rewarded by generous sponsors.  The original target was £2000, but they have more than doubled that figure, and have raised a total, with Gift Aid, of  £5000 which is truly magnificent.  Thank you, all of you—and come back to Jambiani soon!

Lucy reports:    ‘Our journey took us 15 and 1/2 days from John O'Groats down to Land's End.  Of those days there were only 2 on which we didn't get rained on!

Scotland took us a week to conquer, the north of England another 3 days and then eventually we made it into Shropshire and what felt like the home run on day 11.  We cycled an average 60 miles a day, the first week's mileage being more in the 50's and the second week's mileage being more in the 70's.  We arrived at 2pm on Wednesday 26th August.

Some of our highlights included a tough but beautiful cycle up through Glencoe and down along Loch Lomond on day 6, a stunning ride up and over the old Severn Bridge at Chepstow on a gloriously sunny afternoon and a rather hilly but satisfying run through the Devon countryside from Tiverton to Okehampton via Crediton.

I'm not sure any of us will be rushing to repeat the journey but we all feel very proud of ourselves.  It was amazing how the distance disappeared a little bit at a time as we plodded along and we certainly saw lots of the glorious English countryside, although quite a lot of it looked a little hazy through the rain!

I hope our efforts will help you to continue your work in Jambiani, we had such a lovely time when we visited.’