http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/activities/mission-malawi-4 Challenge yourself to a 15-day 500km cycle ride through Malawi and Mozambique. Visit ActionAid's HIV / AIDS projects en route and see first-hand the difference you are making to children and communities. en-us 2010/03/12 12:51:38.467 GMT 2010/03/12 12:51:38.467 GMT http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/activities/mission-malawi-4 MyActionAid myactionaid@actionaid.org myactionaid@actionaid.org http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/AlexMM4 Hello My name is Alex, I am originally from Manchester and moved to London at the end of 2007. I got involved in Mission Malawi in 2005 and went to Malawi for 2006. It was great experience to see the people and the county first hand and see what needed to be done. We also saw how our money is helping by visiting several projects funded by Action Aid; But there is still a long way to go… Malawi is a beautiful but poor country and around 15% of the population are currently living with HIV/AIDS. Every year 90,000 Malawians die because of this disease alone. So far Mission Malawi has raised over £200,000 in 3 trips and this year I would like to raise at least £3,200 to go towards our team total. Every pound counts and makes a real difference.I really appreciate your donation. Thanks Alex http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/AntoinJStrachan My name is Antoin. I was originally born in Nassau Bahamas and have now been living in London for the past 10 years. My background is in Dance and Theatre but I gave it all up after 16 years and am now working as an events manager for an internet company which runs a number of dating sites. I travel quite a lot and it keeps me busy but get to meet and work with a lot of other charitable and non-profit organizations. I try to continue contributing to those in need. http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/Bonaomi My name's Les Pratt, and I'm a producer for BBC Radio 3, based in Manchester. I set up Mission Malawi back in 2003, and I can hardly believe we're preparing for our 4th expedition already! 54 people have now taken part in the 3 expeditions so far, and we've raised a staggering £250,000 along the way - money which is being well-spent in ActionAid's HIV projects, specifically in Malawi, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. In May 2010, we'll be cycling over 400km along dirt roads in southern Malawi and northern Mozambique, visiting orphanages and care centres en route. Please dig deep and donate anything you can afford. This money will help the many hundreds of thousands of people in Africa who are struggling to cope with the day to day effects of HIV/AIDS. Thank you so much. http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/DanCleland Welcome to my page. I'm a 31 year old Production Manager and I live in London. I'm originally from a small town in Sussex, near the south coast, but I have been living in the smoke for ten years now, I currently reside in Brixton. I have been working in TV and film Production for the past eight years and thats crossed all kinds of different disciplines including TV Entertainment and Feature Film production, I am now a Production Manager for commercials, responsible for the logistics and budgeting of an advert film shoot. I first became involved in Mission Malawi in 2005 and the trip was a really rewarding experience so I have decided to sign up and go all over again! I made a film about that experience and it can be seen online at : www.lionsdenltd.com Thanks! http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/Drew Hi! My names Drew and Im 24 years old from Oldham, Manchester. Previously my career has been based in sales in Hotels across the country however I am soon to join the Met Police in London. Fundraising and community projects have always played a big part in my life so far. Mission Malawi is my first challenge for a couple of years now and I am looking forward to being part of the Mission Malawi 2010 team and helping to make a difference to the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS. http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/philiphamill Hi there, Based in Islington, North London, I run an IT company close to Old Street which develops and runs an online dating site. I've lived in London since 1997, originally from the North West of the UK. I am very much looking forward to participating in Mission Malawi in 2009. This is my first opportunity of being able to be involved in such a challenge, and I am extremely excited at the prospects of raising money for such a worthwhile cause. I am travelling with two other colleagues (Alex and Antoin) and will be travelling to Lilongwe, Malawi in May 2010 to begin the tough challenge of cycling across the African nation. The route follows a mixture of paved and dirt roads through the Malawi and Mozambique landscape which is both remote and rural. Malawi is among the world's least developed and most densely populated countries. The economy is heavily based in agriculture, with a largely rural population. The Malawian government depends heavily on outside aid to meet development needs. Help me reach my goal of raising over £3,000 for ActionAid by donating whatever you can by clicking the Mission Malawi 4 link on the right. Thank you, Philip http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/rlongden http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/shanemalawi1 Hey there My names Shane, Im originally from a Town called Wigan in the North West of England. I've lived most of my life in Manchester and have recently moved from there to Tenerife where I own and run a Gym and Health & Beauty Spa. Im now 33 and still not done much for Charity, so I definitely think its time I got off my butt and did something and put something back in the world! I will be doing Mission Malawi 4 next May in 2010 and will be exploring many avenues to raise my minimum sponsorship of £3,200! On this demanding challenge I'll be cycling over 500km (300 miles) through Malawi and Mozambique, following a route which circles the southern half of Lake Malawi. I'll have a chance to visit ActionAid's work with HIV / AIDS and see the difference its making to people's lives, first-hand. Any contribution no matter how small will be greatly appreciated! http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/wisecycle Hi, I'm Tim and I am going to take part in Mission Malawi 4 in May 2010. I currently live in London and found out about Mission Malawi through the internet. In early 2007 I toured Southern Africa after working on a school building project in Tanzania, visiting every country on my list except Malawi. Since then I have been itching to go back and thought why not cycle around the one country I missed out on, raising money for a worthwhile cause at the same time? Please visit my donation page on the right --> to sponsor me! Thank You! http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/gogobillyboy Hi, I'm Billy. Since 2007 I have been involved with Mission Malawi, a fundraising and HIV awareness project linked to Action Aid. In the 5 years that Mission Malawi has been going, 60 spirited individuals have cycled a total of 22,000km and raised £250,000 for Action Aid's work in Malawi, including community led HIV/AIDS clinics, support centres, orphanages, food security projects, safe water and education. HIV & AIDS is a cause I feel very strongly about, particularly those in Africa who are affected by it. 1 in 7 people in Malawi is living with HIV/AIDS and someone dies every 9 minutes from AIDS related illness. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: ActionAid will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, choose Gift Aid, as an extra 25% in recovered tax will be added to your donation at no cost to you. So please sponsor me now! http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/iainbiddle Hey everyone! I'm Iain, 33, a lawyer, working and living in London and enjoying everything it has to offer. I heard about Mission Malawi through my friend Joe Watt and decided to join him - not least so I can monitor his progress in training up his legs for the 500km trip! It turns out there are several of my friends taking part so it will be an enjoyable trip as well as a hugely challenging one. Please click on the Mission Malawi 4 link on the right, if you are able to help. Thank you! http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/iarlaith 34yo from Ireland but living in London for the last 7-and-a-bit years. Work in the music business, so thought it would be a good idea to get a bit more out and about - and do something useful at the same time! http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/jaimeritchie I am co-founder and MD of East End dance music rave pit and general epicentre of fun, T Bar. When not doing all I can to resist the urge to grow up I am looking after my two Schnauzer puppies Twiglet & Sprocket, gardening, yogaing, reading, being inspired by art and frankly more often than all of the former, drinking wine, loving life and laughing, a lot. This May I will be taking part in Mission Malawi 4 - a two week cycle ride across Malawi in aid of HIV/Aids projects in Malawi & Mozambique. The work this charity is absolutely essential to try and help the thousands of people affected by HIV/Aids. I haven't been on a bike for around 17 years and I am not entirely sure any part of my last 5 years at T Bar will do me any favours in this particular challenge but I am not only willing but honoured to be able to suffer the plethora of sores on my backside that are coming my way in aid of such brilliant and vital work. http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/jezdolan Hi, I'm Jez. I live in Manchester with my husband David, and our dog Stanley. I was a team member of Mission Malawi II in 2006, and III in 2008, and will be returning again in May 2010. Malawi is an incredible country, with beautiful people, many of whom are living in incredibly difficult circumstances. Not least the fact that 1 in 7 people in Malawi is living with HIV/AIDS and someone dies every 9 minutes from AIDS related illness. Please give what you can, and we'll do our best to raise even more money for what is a really important issue. Thanks http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/josephwatt Hi I'm Joe, I'm originally from Sydney but have been living in London for over 4 years now. I heard about my friend Les's previous experiences on Mission Malawi trips and I've signed up for Mission Malawi 4 which is on in May 2010. I'm looking forward to getting 'outside my comfort zone' and doing something for the people of Malawi and Mozambique. So far the Mission Malawi trips have raised in excess of £250,000 for ActionAid. Any donation is much appreciated and don't forget to Giftaid the donation which costs nothing but makes your donation go further. Thanks again, Joe http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/libby Those of you that know me probably won't be surprised by my latestest challenge - a 500km cycle ride through Malawi & Mozambique between 8th-21st May 2010 - however this could be my biggest one to date. My excitement is mixed with trepidation as I've never cycled that far before & I'd be lying if I said wasn't concerned about the prospect of 'saddle sore'! Hopefully the training will stand me in good stead, however it will be difficult to prepare for the African heat. I'm helping to raise money for Actionaid, 60% of the money goes towards HIV/AIDS projects in Malawi & Mozambique, the remainder towards other projects (working with some of the world's poorest people) funded by Actionaid. I'm hoping to raise as much as possible & really appreciate any support you can offer. http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/markcreedon Hello. My name is Mark Creedon, I'm a 39 year old scot, living and working in London. I'm a chartered accountant, but I hope I don't conform to the stereotype! Even if I do, please don't tell me..... 2010 is the year of the challenge, and although I have sponsored many friends and colleagues in the past, I have never actually raised money for a charity or cause myself, and decided that a physical challenge was long overdue! Raising money for a good cause provided the motivation......and I have chosen Mission Malawi 4, a 500km cycle through the country with a team led by Les Pratt, the man who started this event, and whose will and dedication has raised so much money over the years. I salute you! The money raised will help women and children suffering from HIV/AIDS in a country where they don't have the education, resources or choices that we all take for granted in our society. Anything you can give to help would be so appreciated, by me, but more importantly by the people of Malawi. I hope that anyone who reads this, and who knows me will do what they can to support this great cause. http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/onyerb1ke I'm sure it was Nick who started this for me. Having heard of lions and done a bit of training at 8500ft it would be fair to say that there is the odd doubt. But enough said, it's an opportunity to do something challenging and make a real difference to real people, so now it's time for you to get your hand in your pocket, deep. http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/MissionMalawi4 Hi. My name is David Quigley and I am a professional classical pianist based in Birmingham. I am very excited to be involved with Mission Malawi 4 even though I can't ride a bike yet (well, not without stabilisers!) Please give generously to this incredible charity - your money willl make a huge difference in Malawi. http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/Nick_McKenna As you may know I am participating in the Mission Malawi 4 cycle ride for Action Aid this May, and have a target of £3200 to raise. I am hoping that you will have both the empathy to understand why this is important, and will demonstrate your commitment to support my efforts... (otherwise why would we be friends?!?!) There are two big other big upsides in supporting me on this mission.... 1) It is quite possible that I may die, if I don't a will certainly suffer a great deal which will bring a smile to many of you reading this! 2) You know that we all lead a relatively privileged life, and each have the where withall to make a massively positive difference with no real sacrifice to ourselves. Please do think about this when you are deciding if/how much to donate, and please dig as deep as you can... For those of you who buy in to this genuine appeal; I will always be grateful to you - for those who don't; better buy some good karma - you are obviously going need it!!! Seriously, many thanks in advance for your generosity... Nick http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/PipsChallenge Hi, my name is Pippa and I am an Action Aid Supporter. I live in Twickenham and work for a marketing communications agency in Marlow. Last year I took part in on of Action Aid's First Hand Experinces building houses in Nepal. Next year I will be taking on my next challenge and joining the Mission Malawi team where we will cycle around 500km across Malawi & Mozambique. Thanks for your support. Pippa http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/ReconMM4 HI we are Alex, Antoin and Phil , we are some of the guys from Recon. We will be going to Malawi in 2010 and taking part in a 500km bike ride across Malawi and crossing over into Mozambique. We will be following a route which circles the southern half of Lake Malawi. Cycling brings you close to the local people and you will soon understand why Malawi is called the 'Warm Heart of Africa'. You will visit ActionAid's work with HIV / AIDS and see the difference you are making to people's lives, first-hand. http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/Seggsy Hi Everybody! I'm Chris and live in Devizes, Wiltshire... I'm 26 and I work for a Shopfitting company in Swindon. I'm supporting Action Aid by taking part in Mission Malawi 2010. This trip will be my first real charity work and i'm really excited about taking part. Someone in Africa dies every 9 minutes from HIV/Aids so do feel this is something worth getting involved in. http://www.myactionaid.org.uk/Timiscyclingmalawi Hi, I'm Tim and I'm currently on a gap year between my A-levels and university in Manchester next year and conveniently am working for Evans cycles in Canary Wharf. I wanted to do something productive and help those less fortunate than ourselves in my gap year instead of just lounging on the sofa playing Xbox. Luckily I discovered Mission Malawi 4 giving me a chance to combine cycling and raising money for a good cause a perfect combination. I caught the cycling bug doing the London to Brighton in the summer which was quickly followed by London to Paris a couple of weeks after, I'm now planning MM and hopefully the Lands End to John O'Groats trip. Mission Malawi is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness and indeed money to help those suffering from poverty and AIDS/HIV in Malawi. Even the smallest of donations can be stretched a long way bigger ones can be used to reach even more people but any donation means a lot and is greaty appreciated. Many thanks