Cycle India 2012

We’re still looking for around 40 cyclists to take part in our sponsored bike ride in India. The event takes place in January 2010 so there’s still plenty of time for people to sign up, raise the required amount and get fit enough to take part.

We’re looking for 50 people in total from the UK to join up with people from the US and India to cycle around 200 miles over 4 days through Southern India. All the money raised by the cyclists will go to Heal, a small charity dedicated to providing education to children from extremely under privilieged backgrounds in India. We want to remove as many children as possible from the cycle of Poverty.

So, here’s the 5 main reasons why you should consider joining us for Cycle India:

1. Your fundraising makes a big difference!

To take part you need to pay a £250 registration fee and then raise a minimum £2500 for Heal. If you raise £2500 (or pay the figure partly yourself) then all your main costs for the trip are covered, including flights, bikes, food, accommodation etc. As the overall costs will be around £1000 per person, thus a profit of at least £1750 per person goes to the charity.

As Heal has very small administration costs and all administration staff are volunteers, then the money you raise will go a long way. Cycle India 2008 raised over £100,000 after costs, which was an amazing effort. For Cycle India 2010 we are trying to beat that total by including more cyclists this time.

2. We’re hoping to build another Heal Village

Heal is keen to build another Heal Village in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. We have been donated some land which will provide enough space to build a residential school and health centre which will provide education for over 1000 underprivileged children. We will try replicate the success of our existing Heal Children’s Village in Guntur and double the size of our charity at the same time.

We already support a school in Hyderabad, called the Vivikenanda Public School, but the facilities are very cramped. We wish to relocate the older children from this school at our new Heal Village, while utilising the Vivikenanda Public School as a primary school. We will also be taking in further children to the school, allowing as many children as possible with the opportunity to escape the cycle poverty.

3. A great experience

Everybody who took part in Cycle India 2008 had a great time. I, personally, found it to to be one of the best experiences of my life.

You will be cycling through parts of India where tourists do not normally visit, and the local people will be surprised and delighted that you have chosen to cycle through their villages and towns. You will visit a number of points of interest in the Karnataka region, including Bangalore, Mysore and the beautiful countryside of coorg.

It is also a great opportunity for you to make friends with the other cyclists, the organisers in India and the people of India.

4. You will meet the children

You will get to see exactly where the money you raise is currently being spent, by meeting our children. More importantly we are giving our children a holiday to coincide with the finale of Cycle India. We will be spending a couple of days at the Green Valley Resort in Hyderabad and our children from the Heal Village in Guntur will be joining us.

There will be cultural activities and the opportunity for you to see what great children Heal are currently helping.

5. A great opportunity to get fit!

You don’t need to be an Olympic cyclists to take part. In fact, we expect a great variety of ages, shapes and sizes to take part in Cycle India 2010. we do recommend that you do need to do a bit of training beforehand.

So signing up now, is a great excuse for you to get on your bicycle now and get yourself fit for the event!

—————————————————–

If you fancy taking part then don’t delay and get in contact with me (Matthew) ASAP. My email address is matthew@heal.co.uk and I can give you any further information you require.

Or, maybe just sign up now by filling in our application form.