HYDERABAD: While motorists whizzed along the wide road abutting Kasu Brahmananda Reddy Park in Jubilee Hills, a motley group of bicyclists made their way along the road’s fringes on Saturday morning. Cycling for a cause, the group included members from the United Kingdom, United States of America, India and City Police Commissioner B. Prasada Rao, who joyfully pedalled with the cyclists.

Conducted by Heal, a U.K.-based charity organisation, funds raised from the cycle rally would go towards construction of a selfsustaining model village at a 25-acre site, 15 kilometres off Gannavaram, near Vijayawada.

‘Paradise’, as it would be known, will house a residential school for 1,000 orphan and destitute children and all facilities that come with it. “It would have classes right from nursery to junior college level,” said K. Satya Prasad, founder of Heal UK.

“Materials used for construction of the village will be generated from waste. We plan to make the village self- sustaining and we will
harness solar and wind energies. Apart from collecting rain water, we will treat waste water in sewerage treatment plant for recycling purposes,” Dr. Prasad said during the cycle rally.

“We want to demonstrate we can enjoy life without causing any damage to the environment.”

“Through this cycle rally we also want to create awareness about the benefits of cycling and pedestrian and cyclist rights,” he said.

“This is the second time I am participating in this rally by Heal. If they do it again, I will come back,” said John Goldie, a cyclist from
U.K. “People here are friendly and caring. I am taken in by the scenery in rural India.”

Project cost Rs. 15 cr.

The cycle rally was one way of raising funds for the project estimated to cost over Rs. 15 crore.

The bicyclists who came from all walks of life had to shell out Rs. 2 lakh towards participation charges. The team had been cycling in
different parts of the country from the beginning of the year and the rally concluded in the city.

You can view the original article at:

http://www.thehindu.com/2010/01/10/stories/2010011059560500.htm

The plans for Heal’s most ambitious fundraising event – Cycle India 2008 – are taking shape.

As of 18th September, 2007, we have 22 UK participants signed up for the 220 mile bike ride through Andhra Pradesh, although there is still space for two or three more daring individuals to add their names.

In June 2008, Dr Koneru Prasad (Founder), Mr Carl Brodie (Chairman) and Matthew Glover (Head of Fundraising) flew out to Andhra Pradesh to plan the route and make the necessary arrangements. There is real excitement from the locals of the region with a number of Indian cyclists taking part and helping with the organisation of the event.

The adventure includes a boat trip down the picturesque Godavari river, 4 days cycling through scenic coastal areas and then two days meeting the children at the Heal Children’s Village in Guntur.

The cyclists are currently getting fit and trying very hard to raise the minimum £2500 sponsorship figure.

If you are interested in taking part or helping our Cycle India project in any way please contact matthew@conservatoryoutlet.co.uk

Appeal for cyclists 
 
Three of the cyclists taking part in Cycle India make an appeal on Youtube for more participants.

The video was organised by Matthew Glover, head of fundraising, and organiser of the charity bike ride.

There are currently 22 cyclists signed up for this once in a lifetime opportunity, but there are still a few spare places.

If you are interested in getting fit, helping our charity and fancy a real challenge contact matthew@conservatoryoutlet.co.uk for more information.

Please note – this is an archived news item, but we are now working on a repeat performance Cycle India 2010.  Please look at the Cycle India section of this website for more detail!

We’ve got a more modern looking website now, and crucially we have the use of the CMS (content management system) which allows us to keep the website more up to date than we’ve been able to in the past.  There’s also a blog (which is what you are reading now) which allows us to create interesting new stories and share them with the rest of the world far quicker and easier.

There’s also going to be an easier way for people to sign up for our exciting charity bike ride – Cycle India – by using our Sign Up Now form.

We hope you enjoy our new website and please get in touch if you have any suggestions or comments.