JAVEA WELCOMES FUND-RAISING ROUND-THE-WORLD CYCLISTS
Monday 10th October 2011

José Chulvi, the mayor of Jávea, welcomed two young Belgians who have embarked on a year-long round-the-world cycling tour. Thomas Sosson and Pascal Baquet arrived in Jávea where they have spent a couple of days with friends after cycling across France from their home country. A third rider, Gregory Zigrand, has had to temporarily abandon the ride through injury. From the Costa Blanca, they will be heading to Andalusia from where they will catch a ferry across to North Africa. After cycling across Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, they will cross the Atlantic to Uruguay from where they will travel through much of the South American continent, visiting Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Ecuador. The last part of their journey sees them pass through Asian countries such as China and India as well as Nepal where they will face the demanding conditions of the Himalayas.

The adventure – who have called themselves the “Globe Trotters” – will be raising money for research against cancer, especially leukemia. They have been collaborating with Télévie, a product of the media group RTL, which has more than 20 years experience in organising different projects to support research into cancer for the FNRS (the ‘National Foundation for Scientific Research’). In northern Eurpe, it is common for young people to undertake fund-raising activities to raise money for such causes.

The two riders, aged 25 and 26, met with the mayor of Jávea to explain the details of their project which they say will not only raise money for the fight against cancer but help them to understand the world and its different cultures as well as provide moral support for leukemia patients. They plan to post photos and updates on the website, information that can be later be used by hospitals for sick children to teach geography and culture. They anticipate that they will take 13 months to cross some 30 countries and four continents, crossing more than 28,000 kilometres.

José Chulvi lent his support and encouragement to the riders with his hopes that they will successfully complete the adventure. He also expressed his satisfaction to see young people caring about others and taking an active part in promoting research to end cancer.

Donations and sponsorship can be arranged through their website www.lesglobulestrotters.org where you can also keep a track of their adventure across the world. The site is in French but there are English options which explain in detail about the fund-raising effort.

Source: Press Release - Xŕbia Ajuntament