African Adventure - Wrong Way Up!
Posted on 20th July 2016
Paul Loughran is on a trip of a lifetime travelling on a motorbike through sub-Saharan Africa and has nominated Third Age as a charity of choice for the fundraising element of his journey. Read his thoughts and follow his journey through the links contained in his following testimony.
Hi everyone
I am undertaking a solo motorbike trip up through sub-Saharan Africa and I know that some of you have already joined me on this journey via my blog baldybikerireland.
I started at the southern tip of the continent near Capetown and am travelling through South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania until I finish up at the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.
At the start of this trip I visited Christel House SA, which is a project school, run by voluntary contributions and which caters for lesser privileged children from local townships. Run by an Irishman Nicky Sheridan, the school is inspiring and will be one of the lasting memories of my time in South Africa.
In Ireland I have a special interest in a non-profit organisation called Third Age, which is also dependent on voluntary contributions. Third Age is a national voluntary organisation responding positively to the opportunities and challenges facing older people in an ageing Ireland by supporting them to remain active and engaged in their local community.
There is a something poignant about this trip in that perhaps my journey is offering a tiny insight into the in between space that makes up the lives of ordinary people living sometimes extraordinary lives, and which most do with courage and dignity.
I am encouraging the students at Christel House and the members of Third Age (through my blog) to enjoy this journey with me.
Many of you reading my journey, family and friends have urged me to open a fundraising page to support both these organisations and so here it is.
My anticipated mileage will be about 10,000 kilometres and if I can raise a euro for each kilometre, split evenly between these two worthy charities, then the journey will have been well worth the effort.
ALL proceeds raised will go directly to the nominated organisations as I am covering costs myself – after all it is my choice to take this journey of a lifetime.
If you wish to find out more and possibly donate please check out my fundraising page at go fund me.
One way or the other I hope you all stay tuned and that you enjoy the journey with me.
