Six Weeks to Go - Logistics
Six weeks to go, and the countdown is getting very real. Given the distances involved, I’ll be heading out to Kenya a week early to acclimatise before the ride begins. Plus I’ve always loved both travel and history so the opportunity to spend some time in Nairobi itself, and Mombasa, is simply too good to pass up. All the accommodation and internal transport for that first week is now confirmed, which makes the whole adventure feel closer than ever.
Alongside the training, I’ve been pulling together the
all-important kit lists. It’s amazing how quickly the essentials add up - medicines,
electrolyte powders, energy gels… and yes, chamois cream has made it onto the
shopping list too. Not the most glamorous item, and applying it is very
undignified, but anyone who’s spent long hours in the saddle knows it’s worth
its weight in gold!
But beyond the logistics and the kit, it’s important to
remember why this ride matters. In my last update I mentioned Child.org and
their maternal health project Team Mum, which was launched in Kenya’s Narok
County. Compared to Kenya’s average, fewer women in Narok access critical
maternal healthcare such as antenatal visits, postnatal check-ups, or delivery
in hospital.
Why is it so difficult? Narok is vast – I’ll get to see this
for myself as the Ride Africa route takes us through the county. Some
communities live so far from a health facility that pregnant women walk an
average of two hours (and in some cases up to six hours) just to access the
care they need. Imagine walking six hours whilst pregnant. For many, walking is
the only option given Narok’s poor roads and limited public transport. And even
if a woman makes it to a facility, it may be too under-resourced and understaffed
to provide the help she needs.
Since 2019, Child.org has been working to change this by making
healthcare information and support more accessible for women in Meru and Narok
counties. My fundraising will help them reach even more women and babies in
Narok, ensuring safer pregnancies and healthier futures.
I’m now 85% of the way towards my £1800 target, and every
donation, share, and message of encouragement has helped me get this far. Thank
you all so much!
Six weeks to go.
👉 https://www.justgiving.com/page/dave-ross-1
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