Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am supporting The Vodafone Foundation which is a charitable organisation involved in sustainable development initiatives in countries in which Vodafone is present. Since 2012 it has raised over $10 million through the Moyo Challenge to improve the lives of thousands of women suffering from Obstetric Fistula in Tanzania.

Earlier this year, Moyo Lesotho was launched as the foundation's second global fundraiser, with the aim of raising $8 million to mobilise access and treatment to all 41,000 children living with HIV/AIDS in Lesotho. Without treatment, over 90% of HIV+ children die before their fifth birthday and a third will not even see their first! In some small way I hope that my own bike ride can contribute to lessen the suffering for some of these children.

I am certainly no committed cyclist and have to admit I didn't even own a road bike when I first got involved. However, something about this bicycle ride grabbed me as the "thing" I just had to go for - a truly daunting personal challenge, to raise money for an eminently worthy cause, at a major milestone in my life. I turn 50 just a week or so before the event itself and can honestly think of no better way to drive myself past the half century marker than to traverse the length of this beautiful isle on a little bicycle in aid of little children so less fortunate than most of us have ever been.

Donating to the cause through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you for your generosity! It offers me much encouragement, is much appreciated by the Vodafone Foundation and is much needed by the children of Lesotho.

John