MEMBERS of Christ Church in Ross-on-Wye are inviting anyone interested in discovering more about a 10,000 mile bike challenge to join them on Tuesday, September 12th.

They will be welcoming Nick Simon, who completed an 8,000 mile cycle ride from Cairo to Cape Town in 2016, and is currently on a 2,000 mile journey from Cork to Camden Town.

He is passing through Ross-on-Wye on his ride and accepted an invitation to speak about his efforts to raise money for Christian Aid’s work in Africa last year. He is continuing his fundraising efforts by cycling 2,000 miles through Ireland and the UK this summer, when he will also climb the five peak

Nick said:?“Extreme poverty is something we can all play a part in eradicating. Around £30 can lift someone or even a whole family out of extreme poverty, hopefully for good.”

Christian Aid works to reduce extreme poverty and social injustice and supports people of all faiths and none. On his journey Nick met Amarech in Ethiopia who has been able to set up a small business making and selling injera, a flat crepe-like spongy bread, and transform her family’s financial situation.

During his time in Africa Nick cycled an average of 55 miles a day, but also completed 900 miles of his journey by train, boat and bus in parts of Egypt and Kenya for safety reasons.

He had 14 punctures and went through three sets of tyres and four chains. He had stones thrown at him, experienced aggressive begging at the roadside, was exhausted and ill for some parts of the journey but he was determined to complete it.

Everyone is welcome at Christ Church at 7.30pm to hear Nick speak about his travels and the work of Christian Aid.