Action for Charity Women Vs Cancer Cycle Ride

For the second year running, the UK based organization Action for Charity, organized the Women Vs Cancer Cycle Ride. The challenge called on 40 women from the UK to travel to Kenya, to cycle 400kms in 5 days, from the slopes of Mt Kenya to the shores of Lake Victoria. Each of the 40 women from UK raised funds for three cancer charities, with Faraja Cancer Support Trust being the local Kenyan charity that benefits from a proportion of their funds raised.

 At the last minute, just a few weeks before the start, two spirited young Kenyan ladies – Deepa Sumaria and Sheena Malde – decided to join the challenge, and to raise money specifically for Faraja Cancer Support Trust. Deepa and Sheena took up the challenge with enormous energy, and in just two weeks managed to raise Kshs 1.2 million from generous donors.

The cycle was a huge success; its route snakes through some of Kenya’s most rural areas, and each village passed means more awareness raised about cancer. The weather this year posed an additional challenge for the cyclists; rain and cool winds meant that it was a much colder cycle than last year which was hot most of the way.

After five days of grueling cycling, up steep hills and down into valleys, the group arrived on the shores of Lake Victoria, to stay in Kisumu. After a restful night, the group returned to Nairobi where Faraja Cancer Support Trust put on a buffet lunch and entertainment before the ladies departed back to the UK.

Faraja Cancer Support Trust wishes to thank Action for Charity for once again supporting them through their fundraising efforts. Action for Charity raised GBP 3,000 for Faraja in total. Deepa Sumaria and Sheena Malde also deserve hearty thanks and congratulations for their last minute fundraising efforts and energy in getting involved with the cycle.

For more information on Faraja Cancer Support Trust: www.farajacancersupport.org.  For more photos of the Ride, click here.