Ian, was the tour guide for a Myton Hospice charity cycle challenge, arranged by The Lesiure Traveller back in October 2016. The challenge saw 10 cyclists ride over 350km in 5 days, from Ho Chi Minh City in Vientam to Siem Reap in Cambodia and raise over £40,000 for Myton Hospice.
One of their final days cycling included a visit to a local school in Siem Reap, close to the popular tourist attractions and famous Temples of Angkor Wat.
The School, the Anchanh Primary School had over 200 pupils ranging from 5 – 15 years of age with the most basic of facilites and equipement. After the visit Ian decided that he would go back at some point to help them.
With The Leisure Traveller organising the flights and generous donations from Kenilworth resident Mr Peter Griffiths, who himself took part in the cycle challenge, along with a local Kenilworth businessman, Ian flew out to Cambodia earlier this year to revisit the school. Whilst in Siem Reap, Ian arranged for the school to have new windows and doors fitted along with water tanks, which would give them a water supply. He arranged for each pupil to have their own “backpack” full of the basic’s, pens, pencil, ruler, rubber and notebooks, basic equipment-which our schools take for granted.
The Children weren’t the only ones to benefit- Ian arranged for the teachers to also have their own bags with supplies and each school was given a laptop and sports equipement. “I couldn’t believe the joy a football or badmington raquet could bring to people. The smiles on the faces of not only the children, but the staff too as they enjoyed the sports equipement made the whole trip worthwhile” said Ian on his return. It was hard work co-ordinating everything from 6000 miles away but it all worked out great in the end.
Lynne Tucker from The Leisure Traveller commented “I am over the moon that not only has the cycle trip supported a local charity in Warwickshire, but has also benefitted a small community overseas. Work is in progress on arranging the next overseas charity cycle ride and hopefully the outcome will be similar”
The Leisure Traveller – 211 Station Road – Balsall Common, Coventry
Tel: 01676 534622 [email protected]
