Quick Fact

Riders for Health has worked for over 15 years on the problem of delivery systems for healthcare in Africa. They work with ministries of health, UN agencies and other NGOs. Their main resource centre is in the UK while their programme staff are all nationals of the countries in which they work.

Riders for Health is self-funded with no government support. Their origins are in the sport of motorcycle racing and successful fundraising at motorcycling events and races enables them to support their pioneering field initiatives, ensuring that motorcycles continue to save lives in Africa.

In 2006 Enduro Africa raised £200,000 for Riders for Health. In 2008 I hope to add significantly to the amounts raised. To help me and to help the delivery of health care in Africa make a donation using the link to the right.>

Cheque handover at Chamber of Shipping

Tim Springett presenting me with a cheque for £105 towards Enduro Africa, being the proceeds of ticket sales from the Chamber of Shippings annual quiz evening last November. Tim said "We are delighted to support Mark in his venture. It's very brave of him but we're sure he'll enjoy it and it's for an excellent cause."

Latest News on fundraising

Just had some great news from one of my trade union colleagues. John McCurdy in the USA has made a personal donation and a donation on behalf of his union - District 1 MEBA. Thank you John your support is truly appreciated.

Also my family and friends are rallying around. My Cousin Pete Duncan has made a donation and my Aunty Pat too. Thanks guys!

My MZ racing buddies are also rallying round with Carl Husain and Chris Rogers helping out with sponsorship - thanks mateys!

Total thus far raised is £3,950 against my target of £20,000.

The Enduro Africa Route

This is the awesome 1550 mile (2500km) route in South Africa that I and 100 or so Enduro Africa recruits will ride in November 2008 to raise money for Riders for Health (and in my case) NUMAST Welfare Funds.

Total Raised So Far

So far I have received corporate donations totalling £2,600 from:-

Nautilus UK £1000
OSM £1000
Norbulk Shipping £500
Anglo-Eastern (IOM) £100

And personal donations totalling a further £1000 from: -

Edmund Brookes
Robert Woods
The staff of the Chamber of Shipping
Russ Garbutt
Carl Husain
Chris Rogers
Peter Duncan

Bringing my current total to £3600 with 23 months to go - only another £16400 needed to reach my target!

A big thank you to all those who have helped thus far.

The Yamaha AG200

This is the trusty Yamaha AG 200 that I will ride for 1550 miles through South Africa starting in Port Elisabeth and ending (hopefully) in Port Alfred.

The AG200 is basically a bike built for farmers and, so far as I am aware, is not readily available in the UK. The bike is a single cylinder 4-stroke of 199cc and has a 5-speed gearbox and is capable of pulling the skin of a rice pudding (just). Bore and stroke is 67mm x 55.7mm and it weighs in at 112kg carrying 10 litres of fuel.

Over 100 of these bikes will be donated to Health workers in Africa and be maintained by Riders for Health. Please support my challenge by making a donation using the link in the sidebar to the right. Thanks.

The Casualties 2006!!

Today's edition of MCN has a double page spread on the November 2006 Enduro Africa event. If you neeed any proof that I have set myself a stiff challenge check it out (3rd Jan edition). Apparently, virtually everyone fell off a some point even ex-world motorcycle racer Randy Mamola. Most of the riders came away unscathed but some had some serious injuries including 4 broken ribs; a punctured lung; a broken right arm; a broken right tibula and fibula; a broken left collarbone (check - done that twice already and my scaphoid); a broken right shoulder and a broken left ankle. Nine guys did not complete the challenge!