MEDIA RELEASE By Veron  Graham, Regional Press Officer – East England

Witty student double act to embark on pan-European charity cycle

“Raising money to help those less fortunate, with a good friend, in what will hopefully be great weather, sounds like a superb idea,”
Dominic Carmichael

A pair of sports-mad pals will put their friendship to the test when they embark on a near 500 mile charity cycle around Europe on a tandem!

The best buddies and Salvation Army members, Cambridge-born Dominic Carmichael, 21, and Ryan Coubrough, 20 from Peterborough, will depart from The Salvation Army’s Canterbury church on Whitehorse Lane, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2RU at 6am on Friday 14th September 2007. The pair will cycle through Lille, Brussels, Aachen, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Eindhoven and Amsterdam, before returning on Saturday 22nd September 2007. 

The inspiration behind the effort is Watoto* Project, which offers business and employment skills training in Kampala, Uganda. It struck a chord with the university students after two Ugandan orphans stayed at Ryan’s home last year. “Oswald and Paul, were amazing, very inspirational and focused despite the difficulties in Uganda,” said Ryan. “I love Uganda, so when I heard about this Project, how could I not fundraise for it?”

Motivation
So, that explains Ryan’s motivation, but what about Histon-based Dominic, a History and Music student? “I managed to get out of doing bike ride with Ryan last year. I told him I was washing my hair or something! Ryan, obviously heartbroken, asked if I would do one this year. I couldn’t break his heart twice in a couple of moments, so I agreed! I hoped he’d forgotten, but alas, he hadn't! I like keeping fit, so raising money for a fantastic cause, to help those less fortunate is always a must. Plus doing it with a good friend, in what will hopefully be great weather, sounds like a superb idea!”

Friendship

The friendship goes back to their meeting at a Salvation Army youth event in the mid 1990s. “We lost contact after that - thank goodness! It wasn't until 2001 that we met up again, grinned Dominic. “Just when I thought I’d finally got rid of him, this ridiculously tall boy turns up,” interjected Ryan. “It turned out to be Dom and we've been super friends ever since!”

Composed
The active duo count rugby, football, cricket, athletics and tennis amongst their favourite sports and are gearing up by biking increasingly longer distances, but do they have any strong concerns? “Yes,” laughed Dominic. “Breaking down in tears in a stormy field in the middle of rural Germany! To be honest as long as I have some headphones in and I can listen to some music rather than listen to Ryan talking and moaning that will be fine!” Sports Science student Ryan, cycled from Lands End to John O’Groats last year, so is a little more composed, just hoping it doesn’t rain too much!

The pair have received cycling accessories from local stores, plus sponsorship pledges from all sections of the community across Anglia Salvation Army and the wider UK. The life-long Salvationists began attending at their parents’ requests. “Now we go because we want to,” added Dominic. “We love the fellowship, worship, friends and family who go, and taking part in all that the Army is, and that includes its charity work.”

Proud
Shawn Moye, Divisional Youth & Outreach Officer, for The Salvation Army across Anglia, commented: "It is brilliant to know that two young adults in The Salvation Army want to give up their time to change someone's world. This is a fantastic effort and it will be wonderful to hear all of the stories on their return. Dom and Ryan are lovely lads and we are very proud of them."

If you would like to sponsor Dominic and Ryan, please sign up on the Sponsor form at the church or you can sponsor via the Internet by going to WWW.JUSTGIVING.COM/SATANDEM

As part of the church’s support for Dominic and Ryan, the portion of the Harvest Altar Service that would go to the church will be given to support the Watoto Project, The Salvation Army’s Kampala Training Project.

Donations to WWW.JUSTGIVING.COM/SATANDEM