THAILAND. The Edrington Charity Cyclists have set off on their fifth major fundraising effort in support of a regional charity in Asia.
As reported, the Edrington Philanthropists in Cycling (EPIC) group are tackling a 600km ride between 18 and 21 November in the Chiang Mai province of Northern Thailand to raise money for the Baan Dek Foundation.
Baan Dek works with vulnerable children and families from migrant communities to ensure they live in a safe environment and have access to healthcare and education. The foundation’s website points out that decades of economic growth in some regions of the country have struggled to include marginalised children and families. “Children who grow up in slums or other disadvantaged communities are especially vulnerable to risks such as neglect, abuse and exploitation, and their basic childhood development needs often go unmet,” the foundation says. |
It was an early start for the intrepid cyclists today, with everyone ready for a 5.30am start for the first 150km stretch of the long journey.
All the bikes had been put together and checked as the cyclists made last-minute preparations and were briefed on today’s route.
And then they were on their way…
It was a smooth start, the team reported, until they reached the San Sai Highway, which brought with it a few flat tyres. But the early setback didn’t spoil the team’s mood.
The team continued through a stunning stretch to Maengad Dam, where they made their way through lush paddy fields and tropical fruit plantations, with picturesque pagodas protruding in the distant landscape.
The longer the day went on, the hotter the conditions became, making the occasional water stop essential. Nonetheless, the team made it to Baan Suan Chom Chan for lunch.
The tired legs rolled in at 3pm, with the riders jubilant on what they had achieved on the first day. The team then got an early night ahead of more of the same tomorrow.
As part of The Moodie Davitt Report’s Duty Calls series, which highlights the importance of our industry’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, we’ll be checking in daily with the Edrington team and sharing their progress with you via words, images, video and social media.
Edrington welcomes support from the travel retail industry and will ‘double match’ any funds contributed by the trade. The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to get the ball (and the wheels) rolling with a donaton of US$1,000.
Watch out for updates as we follow the team on its amazing ride for Baan Dek.
Further information can be found on the Edrington Charity Cyclists website, Facebook page (Edrington Charity Cyclists) and on Instagram (@edringtoncharitycyclists). Donations can be made here.
Last year, the EPIC riders cycled from Nha Trang to Danang and raised US$750,000 for Newborn Vietnam. In 2017, 50 riders from Edrington offices across the world cycled 600km across Cambodia to raise US$500,000 for M’Lop Tapang, a local charity based in Sihanoukville which supports vulnerable children.
In 2016, Edrington’s charity cyclists raced through Taiwan and raised NTD5 million (US$164,000) for the Kaohsiung Autism Foundation, which aids children with special needs. In 2015, 17 cyclists rode 400km from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore and raised S$120,000 (US$88,000) for Child at Street 11, a Singapore-based institution helping dysfunctional families break out of the poverty cycle.
