Going The Extra 12,200 Miles For Charity

Going The Extra 12,200 Miles For Charity

Auckland, 14 September 2004 – New Zealander’s Nigel Wilson and Heidi Charlton have just completed a gruelling 20,302 km Pan American cycle to benefit international animal welfare charity, WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals).

The journey, which began ten months ago in Argentina and finished in Alaska, has been the adventure of a lifetime. During the course of their epic tandem cycle ride, Heidi and Nigel have survived; windburn, sunburn, heat rash, sweat rash, infections, scratches, sprains, stings and sores. They have also survived each other.

The distance travelled equates to more than four times the distance between LA – New York, five times more than Sydney - Perth, seven times more than Cape Reinga – Bluff, fourteen times more than John O’Groats to Lands End and just slightly more than travelling from the South Pole to the North Pole.

Heidi and Nigel have travelled through thirteen countries and on riding days averaged a distance of 92kms a day. Along the journey the cyclists saw more than 26 species of animals including an encounter with a grizzly bear and a photo opportunity with a sloth.

Statistics of the journey include; 32 punctures, 23 replacement bike tyres, 17 snapped chains, 3 t-shirts worn into little pieces, 5 pairs of cycle shorts worn into arrestably indecent condition, 5 pairs of socks completely worn through, 2 broken rear view mirrors, several tent zips worn out, exhausted a number of odometer batteries, received 2,264 hits on their trip website and raised nearly NZ$8000 for favourite charity, WSPA. WSPA page 1 of 2 Prior to embarking on their cycle journey, Nigel and Heidi both worked for Telecom New Zealand. After a short rest period in Auckland, they will be relocating for a time to Queensland, Australia.

Heidi and Nigel will be in Auckland from 13 Sep – 20Sep and will be in the WSPA New Zealand offices on Thursday 16th September at 11.00am.

www.pedalpanamerica.org

##END## WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) is a not for profit organisation that has offices in 13 countries with an additional 460 member societies in 111 countries. WSPA is the only animal welfare agency that has membership to the International Council of Voluntary Organisations that is linked to the United Nations for the co-ordination of humanitarian affairs. WSPA also has consultative status with the United Nations and reports to the economic and social council on matters of animal welfare around the world. www.wspa.org.nz

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