Friend of Edusport's Fiona Campbell tells us about her Lusaka-Livingstone cycling fundraiser.

Dear Friends,

We would again like to thank you for your support for our challenge; we are delighted to announce that we have raised over £1300 to date. On arrival in Lusaka we were fortunate to gain sponsorship from Zambikes, who donated a bike for Clare to use and also Jollyboys Hostel in Livingstone which marked our finish line.

We had a tremendous send off from the Zambikes office with friends from across Lusaka, Sport in Action and EduSport all present as we took to the road on Thursday 18th February. Our route took us through Lusaka city centre, then onto Kafue Road passing Chawama. The day before our cycle commenced we enjoyed a dinner with friends at a traditional African Braii (BBQ), it was then with 24hours to go  that Kelvin Chasauka (EduSport Peer Leader) decided that he would join us on our cycle for the first day and borrowed a bike. So the three of us embarked on the 40km cycle from Lusaka to Kafue. 

Just 10km into the journey, we had a quick break at Chawama junction where senior pupils from the school we were fundraising for, Chawama SEE, were at the roadside with banners and made plenty of noise to welcome us. It was then that our accident happened! As we stood stationary at the traffic lights at Chawama, behind us a car changed lanes resulting in a truck swerving to miss colliding with the car and ran over Clare.  Thankfully we quickly had police, first aiders and our reliable taxi (Kingsley) on the scene and we were on our way to hospital with Clare conscious but in quite a lot of pain. Naturally we were all in shock, none more so than the pupils from CSEE school who had witnessed the accident and the driver of the truck who accompanied us to hospital to check Clare was OK. Clare was discharged with a sprained ankle, ‘road rash’ and a few bruises. The truck driver was later charged with dangerous driving and fined 60,000kwatcha (less than £10!).  I have attached pictures of our send off and also the ‘aftermath’.

So I write to inform you that we were unable to complete our challenge. After a few days rest we did however take a bus to Livingstone to see the Victoria Falls. Clare is now well on the mend and is on safari in Botswana. As for me, I am back in London! Which is where the next chapter of the story is unfolding. It would seem that word reached Soho Parish Primary School about our accident (a school which Derek works with); the 6 grade have decided to launch a project ‘completing the journey’ which will see parents and teachers (cheered on by the grade 6 pupils; who can’t cycle due to ‘insurance reasons) have a spinning session at Central YMCA gym to clock up the remaining 490km.  Both Clare and I have been overwhelmed by the response and support from everyone. We have also been inspired!  So we have both pledged to complete the 500km journey. Clare intends to cycle to work and clock up the kilometres that way. Whereas  with a little more time on my hands as I search for employment in London, I am going to complete the 500km cycle over the next 6 days; thanks to Central YMCA who have given me use of their spin and stationary bikes. The plan so far looks like 4 hours  day for the next six days!

We wanted to give you all the ‘full’ story. Should anyone who sponsored us feel that they would like a refund, then send me your postal address and Friend of EduSport will send you a cheque to the full ammount of your previous donation. If anyone is reading this and wishes to add to our fund then please do visit www.justgiving.com/lusakatolivingstonecycle

Thank you all for the tremendous support we have received, we set out for a challenge and  a unique experience which we feel we definitely got more than we anticipated!

Kind Regards,
Fiona (and Clare)