Radlett student in charity rickshaw ride (From Borehamwood Times)

Radlett student in charity rickshaw ride

10:20am Sunday 14th June 2009

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A MEDICAL student from Radlett will be making history this summer - by being the first to pedal a rickshaw from Britain’s most westerly point to its most easterly point.

Simon Etkind, 24, from Thelusson Court, will be cycling from Lands End in Cornwall to Lowestoft in Suffolk with fiancée Lianna Hulbert.

The couple aim to set a record by cycling 1,500 kilometres (932 miles) in just 24 days, in the rickshaw.

They are raising money for UK-based development charity Action Village India (AVI). AVI supports six other organisations across India that between them offer training and support to over 300 self-help groups.

These community groups benefit poor and disadvantaged members of Indian society.

The couple, who are getting married later this year, say they are looking forward to setting off on their three-week challenge on June 29.

"It will definitely be a team effort," said Mr Etkind, “One person will pedal, while the other will do the map reading. We’ll swap every hour or so, so both of us get a chance to put our feet up.

“Rickshaws are not too hard to pedal on the flat, but going uphill is really tough.

"Many people do sponsored cycle rides but we thought we’d be a bit different and highlight the Indian connection by using a cycle rickshaw.

"It certainly won’t be easy, but we hope that it will raise money to enable people in India to lift themselves out of poverty.

"Rickshaws are a common sight in North India, but we expect our EcoChariot rickshaw to cause quite a stir in the English countryside.”

Anyone wishing to sponsor the couple can contact Action Village India on 020 7247 6406, or visit justgiving.com/rickshaw_odyssey

Alternatively visit website rickshaw-odyssey.org for more information.

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