Texon International Group’s Non-woven Manager in Skelton, England has been training to complete a cycle ride in October 2011 in Ghana to support fundraising for a charity called ‘Friends of Tafo’. The aim is to provide clean water to the town of Kwahu-Tafo in Ghana itself. The cycle challenge will take place at the end of October 2011 and involves riding 400km over 6 days in Ghana which will involve tackling mixed terrain of tarmac/ash felt roads as well as dirt/dust tracks.

The route is from the Ghana coast to the town of Kwahu-Tafo and this is the town in which the charity was established to support. Kwahu-Tafo is an impoverished rural town located north of the capital on a high plateau, where most inhabitants are subsistence farmers. The charity was established in the United Kingdom several years ago by the current chairman Humphrey Barclay (a retired television producer). Humphrey previously travelled to Tafo to visit the ancestral home of a colleague of his who died unexpectedly. Humphrey is the Development Chief and now dedicates his time to the charity who’s aims are to help the people of Kwahu-Tafo, through responsible giving, aiming to generate a capacity for self-development in education, job-creation and quality of life and infrastructure.

“The water sources in the town are contaminated and this year their major project is to provide a clean water solution. A corporate sponsor is helping deal with part of the water problem and the cycle project is planned to deal with the other part. Access to clean water is a basic human requirement and this is why I signed up for the project. I will be able to meet the people and hear first hand the positive impact this project will make.”

Explains Gary

Gary and the rest of the cycling team will stay in basic accommodation including camping. The temperature will be over 35 degrees which will make it very difficult. It is an organised event and around 23 cyclists are taking part. He says, “I have never done anything like this before so it will challenge me both physically and mentally.”

I have had some fantastic donations so far, many of which are from Texon colleagues. I have already exceeded my minimum fundraising target but I am seeking additional donations to enable the enhancement of the project and further the charity’s aims. Gary has created a personal webpage which can be accessed with the following link http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GaryHollins

This also tells you more about the project and is the best method to make a donation.