Two corporate entities have thrown their weight behind Nana Duawusu Preston, a Ghanaian Cyclist, who is organising a charity ride to the UK to raise 15,000 Euros for three local charities.
They are Dipity Limited; graphic designers, and Sleeping Camel; an expedition company.
Nii Odoom Anokwafo Annoh, Operations Co-ordinator for Dipity Limited has promised to handle all graphic designs about the 9,614km (5,974 miles) trip including logo, letter heads while Sleeping Camel would handle every expenses of the rider in Mali including food and accommodation.
The charity ride expected to last within three-four months and dubbed: “The big cycle run,” starts from Ghana on September 1, through Burkina Faso - Mali - Mauritania - Western Sahara - Morocco - Spain – France and to the United Kingdom
The charity bike ride aims to support PrestGreg Charitable Trust Foundation, Sabre Charitable Trust and Ghana Society for the Mentally and Physically Disabled.
Nana Preston told Ghana News Agency in Accra at the weekend, that the fund raising activity is also intended to facilitate the pursuit of education as well as interventions in health and disability care.
He said: “It is on record that currently 60 million children are still missing out on school and one in a three has a disability.”
Nana Preston said he aims to become the first Ghanaian and as a matter of fact the first African to cycle from Ghana to UK through nine countries to support charity work.
“From my own experience of growing up in a disadvantaged setting in Ghana, I am very much aware of the challenges facing the youth, the disabled and the poor in leading healthy, successful and productive lives.
“The big cycle is my way of helping improve conditions for poor people in my home country.”
Nana Preston said before he starts the journey he plans to embark on a preliminary ride from Ghana- Togo and Benin.
There would also be a Ghana South ride spanning Elmina to Hamile, a trip round the Volta Lake- the largest man-made lake in the world as well as the West Coast – East Coast including California to New York City, in the US.
Nana Preston said the Ghana, Togo and Benin journey would be the first trial challenge to the big cycle bike run and aims to support two charities in the neighbouring countries.
The routes are Elmina – Cape Coast – Mankessim – Winneba – Kasoa – Accra – Aflao – Lome – Kpeme – Aneho - Grand Popo – Quidah – Cotonou and Port Novo.
The total distance is 1,087.9.
He said anyone who is interested to join the expedition, even just for a short section could get in touch through: thebigcyclefromghanatouk@gmail.com.
Other contacts are as follows: http://thebigcyclefromgha.wix.com/nanapreston, https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Big-Cycle-Ghana-United-Kingdom-by-Nana-Preston/268103746691719 and http://www.gofundme.com/thebigcycle2015
