China by motorcycle for charity

,b>China by motorcycle for charity

Friends Jeremy Hamilton and Lulu Xie are preparing for the trip of a lifetime around China on two Chinese-made motorbikes, with the aim to help change the lives of orphaned children in China.

On the 9th of March 2011 they will set off on a 20,000 kilometre journey around China on two Chongqing –made Lifan motorcycles, supported only by the supplies they can pile on top and the generosity of the people they meet. Working within a break from Jeremy’s full time job in Chongqing, China, they must make their trip through 20 Chinese provinces and municipalities in just 100 days.

“To experience China in such a unique way has been a dream of mine since my first motorcycle trip in India last year, but I also want it count for more than a personal challenge. All along the way we will be working to raise US$20,000 for the Half Sky Foundation, which supports orphaned children in China,” say Jeremy.

Ahead of them lies a road longer than twelve lengths of New Zealand placed end to end. Tracking from the South China Sea to the Tibetan Plateau and back, they face extremes of weather and road conditions, from competing with trucks for space in the perilous and densely populated eastern provinces, to looking for someone to talk to in the far western areas of the country.

The conditions of the weather and roads aren’t their only challenge though, says Lulu. They will have to keep up with a daily kilometer count to reach his 100 day goal.

“We’ll have to survive off whatever we can take on the motorcycles, there is no support crew! It will be isolating from time to time, but we are excited to take this on and at the prospect of meeting some very interesting new people on the journey.”

Fundraising for the Half the Sky Foundation, which offers the love of family for orphaned children in China, will also feature prominently along the entire journey.

“For thousands of children in China without parents, Half the Sky Foundation programs are the closest this they will ever receive to the love and support of the family they’ve lost,” says Jeremy.

“The time they spend in the institution, many months at least and often many years, has a tremendous impact on orphaned children’s long term development.”

Jeremy and Lulu’s goal is to raise US$20,000 for the Half the Sky’s Infant Nurture Program in Urumuqi, north-western China which provides care for approximately 150 abandoned babies.
“Achieving this fundraising target will mean the centre can care for their youngest members for more than 8 months.”

The pair will raise funds throughout his journey by drawing attention to the amazing work that Half the Sky does on a daily basis. They are seeking online contributions from people both within China and abroad to reach his target through the trip website and from cash donations on the way. Even if they don’t reach the fundraising target they say that just helping to increase the foundation’s exposure will help draw support for their activities in the long run.

True to his Kiwi roots, the New Zealander has joined the local rugby club near his home in China, the Chongqing Conquerors, alongside learning Mandarin.

“Playing rugby is the best way to physically prepare for a trip like this because both rugby and endurance motorcycling are so physical. In both situations you still have to have your wits about you even when you're dead tired!”

While he says the physical and psychological aspects of the trip are a daunting, he believes that seeing the world by motorcycle is the most rewarding way to travel. "You get to experience so much more of the places you travel through on a motorcycle than if you catch a train or a bus. It's up to you to decide where and when to stop and look around.

“There are unfortunate times when you have to stop to repair a tyre or fix a clutch cable, but those times are what colours the journey. And more often than not, these situations put you in contact with amazing people and you drive off with another story to sit on the bike and think about."

About Jeremy Hamilton:
After completing his studies at Auckland University, Jeremy Hamilton volunteered in Pakistan and India for three months. After driving an Enfield Bullet motocycle through India for two months, he decided to put his passion for motorcycles to the ultimate test soon after arriving in China.

He says he has been inspired by the trips undertaken by Ted Simon, Ewan MacGregor and Charley Boorman, and more recently the guys from New Zealand who completed their 51st Traverse across Far eastern Russia, central Asia and Europe.

About Lulu Xie

Lulu is well known in Chongqing for her travel writing. As a freelance journalist for newspapers and magazines, she has been able to hitchhike around many countries in Southeast Asia. She believes that Chinese travelers can benefit a lot from independent travel, rather than the traditional groups.

Lulu has very little experience driving motorcycles. She says she’s inspired to take this on by the activities that Half the Sky does and by a drive to help them continue their work in China.

About the Half the Sky Foundation:
The Half the Sky Foundation is a non-profit organisation that works with Chinese Government to run orphanages around China that provide over six-thousand children without parents with a better life and a brighter future.

Half the Sky is one of only a few foreign Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) registered with the government of the People’s Republic of China, and the only registered foreign NGO to be working with children.

The Foundation works to establish and operate infant nurture and preschool programs, provide personalised learning for older children and establish loving permanent foster care, medical care and guidance for children with disabilities.

ENDS

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