Thursday 23 August 2012

Day 29 onwards – We've FINISHED!!!


Day 29 onwards –  Ho Chi Minh City

Ahhh what a feeling to have finished. Over the past 29 days we’ve cycled 2,200 km… spent 139 hours in the saddle… burnt 117,403 calories … sweated out over 114 litres… turned the pedal 1,235,400 times… and climbed over 11,225 metres ( that’s 1 ¼ the height of Mt. Everest)!! Together our friends, family and the wider community have helped to raise just under £17,000 ($26,000 USD) for Saigon Children’s Charity.

Cycling into Ho Chi Minh City during the morning rush hour was unimaginably exciting. We joined thousands of motorbikes as they swarmed into the city arriving at the Charity’s office in the centre of Ho Chi Minh and after a quick meet and greet Cal, George and myself were taken to Thang Long School. Over the next two days George and I got the opportunity to meet many students aspiring to get a place at university, along with visiting an orphanage for disabled children. The lady in charge of the orphanage was delighted when we presented her with a bag of items we no longer needed from our trip, such as pots, pans, pasta, noodles, pens, paper and two footballs.

These last few days since finishing our epic cycle has confirmed two things in particular.

 Firstly how terrific Saigon Children’s Charity is, from their ethos to their professionalism and helpfulness Ride4Education couldn’t have wished for a better organisation to have planned this trip with. Secondly, how beneficial the money we’ve raised will be to the potential University students studying at Thang Long School. Many have such inspiring stories already that it is hard to imagine anything other than success from them when provided with the opportunity to attend university.

I would like to say a big thank you to EVERYONE that sponsored our cause, together we’ve provided the platform from which 16 able students can take them and their families out of poverty forever.

The Biggest thank you of all must go to DHL for providing us with an invaluable support van and brilliant driver, Khan. Also to Freddi from Saigon Children’s Charity who spend countless hours helping to plan and organise our trip, you’re a real superstar!

Sam

Cal in the swam of bikes.
George loving the rush our buzz!

Arrival at Saigon Children's Charity's office. 
Being asked about British fashion by a year 11 English class.
George being interviewed by a Vietnamese reporter doing a documentary on one of the charities partners.



George at the orphanage 

Freddi who helped us plan the ride, answering our many questions 

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