Cycle Ride to Raise Funds!

A team of medical professionals in Peterborough in eastern England will soon leave for India to participate in a cycle ride to raise funds for a charity organisation in Guntur founded by a British doctor-couple of Indian origin.

The charity organisation called Health and Education for All (HEAL) is the brainchild of a Peterborough-based general practitioner Koneru Prasad and his wife Usha Koneru. The organisation, founded 15 years ago in the Konerus' family home, is based in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

The charity organisation has reportedly grown to include a children's village, a boys' hostel, a health centre and a project to help children living in city slums to get education.

Nurses Marion Austin and Debbie Martin plan to take part in the ride along with Prasad and Usha. About 21 other people from around the country will join them when they take part in the five-day event in January.

Austin, 39, told the local media: "Me and Debbie thought we would take up a challenge before we get too middle aged. The charity really is excellent and we are pleased we will be raising money for a good cause."

The pair hopes to raise 7,500 pounds (approximately $15,160) between them, while it is hoped the event as a whole will raise about 40,000 pounds to 50,000 pounds for HEAL.

Martin, 47, said: "Patients at the practice have been so generous and so supportive of us."

Usha raised 3,000 pounds for the cause last year when she pedalled 250 miles in four days across demanding Yorkshire and Cumbria countryside. She said: "I like to keep fit and I think it is important to set an example for my patients."

She said she hoped the ride would raise nearly half the annual amount needed by HEAL.

The cyclists will start their journey in Hyderabad and travel 220 miles (354 kilometres) to the Children's Village in Guntur. After the challenging five-day ride they will spend a day with the children in the village.

Source-IANS
VEN/C