We've had a bout of negative feedback over the last couple of days and, to be frank, it's got us down a little :-(

The comment "We only support local charities" has been heard on more than one occasion

So let me try and address that objection

I appreciate the sentiment and respect local people's positive attitude to local charity events - but I would like to point out to all readers of this blog that this IS a local charity effort!!

How much more local than "Tenby to Port Elizabeth and back safely" can it get?

Whilst the final beneficaries might be unborn children in Africa, this is most CERTAINLY NOT overseas cheque-book charity. It is a local event

This is two local Tenby bikers making a local effort to raise funds so that we can buy, fund, fuel and maintain 2 motorbikes in a country where every minute of every day, a baby is born with HIV, passed on by his or her mother during pregnancy, labour or upon delivery.

Where the life expectancy of a baby born HIV+ is less than 2 years - just old enough to be a toddler

I have 3 healthy young chilrden - happy living in Tenby - happy playing carefree and safely on the beach - happy that they get regular pocket money from Mum and Dad - but I often take their contentment and happiness for granted

That alone makes you think about less fortunate children, regardless of where they live

I don't want this to come across a "Victor Meldrew" moment although I'm well practised at that! All I would ask is to all the people and companies in Pembrokeshire, as well as Tenby, take the time to visit our website, read the details and dig deep

It's important enough for Graham and myself to put our lives on the line for this cause If anyone believes otherwise, let them try and ride any kind of motorcycle for 2000km, road or off-road without falling off - it hurts - bones get broken - lives are lost - one biker has lost their life in Pembrokeshire over the last few days RIP my biking friend

So perhaps, to those people who say "we only support local charities" I would ask them to reconsider and to everyone.....

Please dig deep

When we've ridden the bikes In South Africa in October, fuelled and maintained them - just before they are crated up to go to the healthworkers that will use them day to day, we'll put a sticker on each petrol tank that reads......
"Proudly donated by the great people of Pembrokeshire"

Now how local is that?

You can donate online http://www.thedaftwayround.com
or by cheque or just call me if you'd like to chat this over - I'd be happy to hear from you 01834 844926