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Take The Challenge and Cycle Vietnam to Save Lives
by Holly Blades
The Cycle a Difference sponsored challenge ride is aimed at enthusiastic fit cyclists, and involves 850 miles in 10 days across northwest and central Vietnam, to support Newborns Vietnam's work to reduce newborn deaths.
This is a challenging ride for a great cause! Enjoy ever changing and spectacular landscapes from Hanoi to Lao Cai and down to Da Nang. The northwest is a remote region and represents the finest Vietnam has to offer in terms of colour, human interest and the thrill and discovery of the unknown. The terrain is stunning with mountains and hills nestled between terraced rice paddies with opportunities to see something of the lives of the colourful hill tribes.
Wake up to mist cloaked jungles and the sounds and rhythms of everyday life that have not changed for centuries, enjoy great food as you try the many regional dishes or simply enjoy a bowl of Pho at a roadside stall. You will gain a sense of Vietnam’s history as you pass through Dien Bien Phu on your way to the Ho Chi Minh trail and onwards along the Lao boarder. Your final challenge is to scale the Hai Van Pass for one of the most beautiful views in the world and then downhill to Da Nang and a very warm welcome at the Da Nang Hospital for Women & Children.
You will visit the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and meet the Doctors, nurses and babies that your ride is supporting.In Vietnam newborn deaths account for more than 60% of all deaths in children under 1 year old. The Da Nang NICU has now been operational for over a year and a great deal has been achieved thanks to generous donors. However, despite the year on year improvements newborn care is not optimal. There are too few doctors and nurses who are appropriately trained in newborn care, the lack of staff and critical shortage of nurses and equipment as well as limited knowledge are major factors in why the mortality rate remains high.
Funds from Cycle a Difference will:
- bring British medical and nursing expertise to central Vietnam
- provide the first specialist neonatal nurse training programme
- develop a long-term academic partnership with UK University & Nursing College, that will lay down the foundation to advance newborn care in Vietnam
- provide essential lifesaving equipment
- help further reduce the number of newborn babies that die.
Each rider is asked to raise £3,000 sponsorship of which the £500 registration goes to cover flights from UK and one internal flight, accommodation and all meals, full details of the ride at www.cycle-a-difference.com or contact Luke the ride team captain on 07713 157523.
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