Adventurous volunteers invited to join Transaid in Madagascar

International development charity Transaid is challenging members of the transport and logistics industry to help raise £150,000 by cycling almost 500km through Madagascar.

Fundraisers who take part in the nine-day trip in June 2012 will travel across Madagascar’s diverse north-east coast, a lush tropical paradise with all manner of rare and wonderful flora and fauna.

Money raised will contribute towards Transaid’s work in Madagascar, helping some of the world’s poorest communities gain access to the healthcare they need. Projects include water sanitation, malaria prevention and medical supplies for pregnant women and newborn babies.

Several teams and individuals have already committed to the event, including representatives from CILT, DHL, Hankook Tyres, John Mitchell, Michelin, Woodland Global, Transport for London, Simms Recycling Solutions and Wincanton. They will be joined by logistics consultant and Transaid trustee Clare Bottle, who successfully completed Transaid’s Ethiopia Trek earlier this year.

Transaid CEO Gary Forster says: "Madagascar is a truly beautiful island and this really is a unique and challenging experience for all involved. If we can reach our fundraising target of £150,000 we will be able to significantly improve access to essential healthcare in some of the poorest parts of Africa."

He adds: "It’s great to see several different teams have already entered the challenge – a bit of friendly competition is sure to make the challenge that bit more exciting. We would of course welcome more participants, either individuals or teams."

An information session will be held in London on October 28 for anyone interested in undertaking this once-in-a-lifetime trip. For more information, visit www.transaid.org, email aggie@transaid.org or call Aggie Krasnolucka-Hickman on 020 7387 8136.