Vision Chairman, Dan Wright, along with Vision Pakistan’s Sales Director, Ali Raza, are putting their best wheels forward as they prepare for a charity bike ride which will see them cycle from Pakistan to the Chinese border.
On August 15th, both Dan and Ali will set off the on 400km trip starting from the Gilgit district of Pakistan to the Khunjerab Pass on the border with China before making it all the way back again.
The cyclists, who will be riding through the Karakoram mountain range, will have to endure treacherous terrain on their journey, with the mountain range being home to the highest concentration of peaks over 8000m in height and which also includes the second highest peak in the world, the K2.
With the challenge only days away, the pair will be forced to withstand temperatures ranging anywhere between -10 and +40 degrees, dirt tracks, unpaved roads, high altitudes and demanding uphill struggles as they aim to reach the Khunjerab Pass.
The trip, which they hope to complete in just 5 days, is to raise money for essential academic development for children in Pakistan.
Ali Raza said: “The global Vision team understands the importance of investing in charity work; both on a local scale and international one. After seeing the huge impact our donations made to the Kids at School in Nepal charity a few years ago, we wanted to replicate these efforts, both in Pakistan and India.”
Despite producing hundreds of thousands of university graduates a year, Pakistan still has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the world and these numbers range from 96% literacy in the capital to just 26% in rural districts.
Ali added: “Vision have been working with a local initiative in Pakistan called The Knowledge Foundation who support children and young people with their educational and cultural progression. Having witnessed the help, care, and support that The Knowledge Foundation provides to people in the area, we were determined to raise some money in the hope it will make a real difference.”
Anyone who would like to donate to this worthwhile cause is asked to donate via Dan’s Virgin Money page which can be found here.
Due to the difficulty in arranging transfer of funds to Pakistan, these donations will be given to ‘Kids at School in Nepal’ and any monies raised will be matched.
Please write ‘Vision’ in the message box so donations can be tracked and matched correctly. All costs of the trip are being met by Vision and the individuals taking part, ensuring all money raised goes directly to the charitable initiatives.
UPDATE: Dan has now completed his incredible journey. So far, Dan has raised an incredible £1,585 (including Gift Aid). Thanks to everyone who has donated!