The annual industry charity bike ride will be taking place in Bosnia and Croatia this year, in order to raise money for landmine clearance charity Mines Advisory Group (MAG).
Set up in 2015 by Sugro chief Neil Turton and Tom Fender, development director of TWC, the 2022 ride will take place across the Western Balkans, starting in Dubrovnik on June 10th and finishing in Sarajevo on the 15th June.
‘Bike Bosnia 2022’ will be the sixth international ride – the previous five challenges have taken place in regions which, like Bosnia, are impacted by the legacy of conflict (including Laos, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Cambodia). To date, the rides have raised £730,000 for the charity.
Turton said: “After a challenging 2021, we are delighted to be able to return to an international bike ride for 2022. We managed to hold seven individual day rides in the UK last year, which were fantastic, but we’re excited to head overseas again, to one of the countries where MAG is making a huge difference to the people living there”
“The devastating conflict in the Western Balkans ended in 1995,” added Fender. “The war claimed an estimated 100,000 lives and displaced another 2.2m people. Many people will recall seeing the horrific images on the news. ‘Bike Bosnia’ will allow riders to learn more about the deadly legacy of the war — the most deadly European conflict since World War II — whilst raising funds for a fantastic cause.”
Darren Cormack, chief executive of MAG, in welcoming the Bike Bosnia event, said: “More than 25 years after the end of the conflict, Bosnia and Herzegovina is still one of the most heavily mined countries in Europe, with these deadly, indiscriminate items trapping as many as half a million women, girls, boys and men in fear.”
Places are still available for the Bike Bosnia event and Tom and Neil are calling for more riders to get involved: “The ride is open to anyone working in the sector. It is an ideal opportunity for people to network while raising money for a fantastic cause. Places are limited and filling up fast. Please contact us soon if you would like to join us or find out more information.”
The dates are 10th-15th June 2022 inclusive. Anyone wanting more information about the ride, or about sponsorship opportunities, should speak to Neil, Tom or Sarah Tavener (sarah.tavener@maginternational.org)
