Dubai: Fundraising cyclists are preparing to travel up to 89km a day across Cuba to raise money for children's charities on the island as part of the latest Gulf for Good challenge.
The Revolutionary Ride 2010 will take participants from the Bay of Pigs to Cienfuegos and Havana in five days, travelling 328km from start to finish.
Among them will be Shaikh Kayed Al Qasimi, 27, from the ruling family of Sharjah and his group of three friends who have been rallying around to raise Dh12,000 each for much needed equipment for Cuban schools and hospitals in Haiti.
Different experience
"This is the first time I'm raising money instead of donating it. It's a different experience. I've been involved with charities before but this time I wanted to help and do what is needed of me," Shaikh Kayed said.
"It's not just raising money but giving our support and doing something to push ourselves. We consider ourselves quite fortunate in this country and when we signed up the Haiti issue was happening and we thought this is something we want to help out with," he said.
Funds raised by participants in the ‘Revolutionary Ride' in November will support disadvantaged children and fund reconstruction projects in neighbouring Haiti after the devastating earthquake earlier this year which left hundreds of children orphaned, injured or homeless.
Money raised by participants will go to two UK registered charities — The Music Fund for Cuba (MFFC), which supports education and the development of performing arts in Cuba, and the Haiti Hospital Appeal (HHA).
Arrangements: Want to take part?
For more information on this and other challenges visit www.gulf4good.org. All participants for the Revolutionary Ride need to raise a minimum of Dh12,000 and pay for their own flights, or can opt to raise Dh23,000 and flights are arranged through Gulf for Good.
To donate to Shaikh Kayed's cause, contact Azadeh Habibi on azi_habibi@hotmail.com.
