Fundraisers taking part in the annual Cycling for Environment and Children’s Health event in Siem Reap will be joined in their charitable exploits by the heroic efforts of two Cambodian cyclists as they together cover more than 12,000km.
Aiming to raise $40,000 for Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC), fundraisers will ride the 16km Cycling for Environment and Children’s Health course as Tiv Dararith ventures solo through the ASEAN region and Pho Phalla powers across Europe.
The funds raised from all the two-wheeled action are to go to the AHC in aiding its invaluable work.
This year’s Cycling for Environment and Children’s Health event is to take place on Sunday, August 27, starting at 6am.
Dararith’s adventure through six ASEAN countries – which began on June 1 and is set to cover 9,000km – is expected to end in Siem Reap in late August, while Phalla’s 3,000km trek across Europe began on July 25.
AHC director Nguon Chanpheaktra said he was proud to see Cambodian people, both inside and outside the country, unite to help the people, especially to improve the wellbeing of children.
“We respectfully invite both locals and foreigners to generously support the three cycling activities in support of the Angkor Hospital for Children.
“People can turn out in large numbers to participate in the Cycling for Environment and Children’s Health event, or donate to Angkor Hospital for Children via the bank accounts shown on the social media of the three events,” Chanpheaktra said.
Hean Souphea – events organiser at the AHC – told The Post on July 25 that participants can register online or at the AHC office in Siem Reap until August 14.
Registration is $25 per person and includes a T-shirt, snacks, a lunchbox and water, said Souphea.
Some 850 cyclists are expected to take part in this year’s event, with the total number to be higher as the support team and organisers will also be participating, she added.
The event will start at 6am in front of Sokha Siem Reap Hotel (St 60m) and end at the Siem Reap Booyoung Country Club Golf Course at 12 noon, she added, while participants will return to the departure point at 1pm.
Meanwhile, the daring Dararith, having departed from Cambodia on June 1, is riding alone through Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
He is set to return to Siem Reap at the end of August having covered a total distance of around 9,000km. His adventures can be followed on Facebook
Phalla, having started in France on July 25, is cycling some 3,000km across Luxembourg, Belgium, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy.
Married to an official at the Cambodian embassy in France, Phalla said there would be the close support and cooperation of the Kingdom’s missions in the countries he rides through, as well as the Cambodians living there.
To register for the annual cycling event, visit the AHC website or its office in Siem Reap.
To donate to AHC, visit the hospital’s website or make a donation at its office in Siem Reap.
To follow the cycling activities of Dararith and Phalla, visit their social media pages.
