10,000 miles for £10,000

Daniel Martin Rides from London to Cape Town in Aid of Right To Play

Daniel Martin and bike hope to make it 10,000 miles in less than 10 months

London, England, August 2005 - Daniel Martin, a British Cyclist, has embarked on a gruelling test of endurance cycling across three continents and 10,000 miles to raise money for charity. Peterborough-based Daniel Martin will ride through Western Europe, the Middle East and Africa before reaching Cape Town, South Africa, in the far south of the continent. On the way, the adventurous 24-year-old aims to climb two of the world’s highest peaks -- Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Western Europe, as well as Africa’s mighty Mount Kilimanjaro.

Leaving on August 21st, 2005 from London’s Trafalgar Square, the incredible journey should take between eight and 10 months, with Daniel determined to raise in excess of £10,000 for Right To Play.

The recent focus on Africa through Live8 and the G8 summit inspired Daniel into action.  “I love sport,” Daniel said. “And I firmly believe it can help develop confidence in disadvantaged young people and provide leadership opportunities for them. Right To Play already has projects in Africa, the Middle East and South-East Asia and I’d like to see more disadvantaged children benefit from the power of sport. I have vowed to raise as much money as possible to help the great cause and I challenge all to donate one £ for each mile I ride.”         

Most Troubled Countries

“In Britain, it’s easy to view Africa as an unstable continent through what we see on the news. But many of the problems are localized,” continued Daniel. Daniel’s journey takes him through some of the most troubled countries in the world, such as Sudan and Ethiopia, but he is not fazed by what lies ahead. He also plans on visiting several Right To Play projects to see first hand the healing impacts sport and play is having on refugee children, former child combatants and young people at risk or orphaned by HIV/AIDS.          

The Journey

Cycling for around eight hours a day, Daniel aims to make good time riding through Europe, but will choose early morning and evening when travelling across the equator. At many miles a day, Daniel’s route includes: UK, France, Italy, Croatia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and finally South Africa. 

Having already cycled from John O’ Groats to Land’s End in six days, completed two marathons and walked the full 84 miles of Hadrian’s Wall in 29 hours, Daniel is determined to finish his latest challenge.  “It’ll be something to tell my grandchildren,” Daniel adds smiling. “But it is also something I can do to help educate the world about Sport for Development."

To read more about Daniel's journey, including updates from the road, visit: http://www.londontocapetown.com

For information in the UK about Right To Play please contact Lina Liederman at lliederman@righttoplay.com.

To help Daniel achieve his goal, click here to see his Right To Play fundraising page.