British cyclist finishes epic Cairo to Cape Town charity bike challenge

13 October 2013

Available for interview on phone from South Africa and in studio after return to UK on 23 October

After six months in the saddle, an intrepid British fundraiser has arrived at Cape Town’s Table Mountain at the finish of an epic six month, 12,000 kilometre bike ride that has seen him cycle from one end of Africa to the other. 

Jack White set off from under the pyramids outside Cairo in early April. Since then the 28 year old from Barnard Castle, County Durham, has peddled his way through a staggering 13 African countries. The adventurer has pushed and cajoled ‘George’ (his bike) past the ruins in Luxor, across the deserts of Sudan in blistering heat, and towering mountain passes in Ethiopia. He’s had to deal with natural frontiers, crossing Lake Nasser and the Zambezi on ferries. And he’s had to cope with challenges of a more man-made nature, including being robbed in Zambia and suffering food poisoning after a breakfast of offal in Uganda. 

In Tanzania he took time off from the physical exertion of the bike, only to trot up to the summit of the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro in just four and a half days. Getting to the top of Africa’s highest mountain, which stands at 5,895 metres above sea level, is no easy feat and is the equivalent of scaling Big Ben 61 times. 

Journey’s end at Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain
On October 4 Jack and ‘George’ crossed the border from Namibia into South Africa, the final country in their epic six month African cycling odyssey. They were joined by Jack’s great friend, Connor Hill, who accompanied them for the final run into Cape Town. They made their journey’s end today at around 14:00 local time in front of the iconic Table Mountain.

Almost £10,000 raised so far for Farm Africa
The Barnard Castle man originally set himself a fundraising target of £6,000 for the trip. But such has been the response to his extraordinary feat, he has had to revise that target up to £10,000. He has raised £9,475 so far and is hoping that he will cross the £10,000 mark after successful completion of his trip.

Explaining what made him decide to take on such an extraordinary challenge, Jack said: 

“While it was a difficult decision to leave my job and life in the UK, the choice of charitable recipient for my efforts was not. While Africa struggles with famine, it possesses 60% of the world’s uncultivated crop land and has a huge capacity for development. That’s where Farm Africa comes in; they work with local farmers to pioneer techniques that boost harvest, reduce poverty, and sustain natural resources. By reducing poverty and hunger, they aim to end Africa’s need for aid. I truly believe in the work carried out by Farm Africa”

Fulfilment of long-term ambition
It is a journey Jack has dreamed of since first setting foot on African soil during a pre-university gap year back in 2003 when he worked on a teaching project in Botswana. He fell in love with Africa and returned each summer vacation to Botswana to work for a Safari company. To fulfil his dream Jack had to give up his hugely enjoyable job as the Staging Manager for Open Championship at the world-famous Royal and Ancient Golf Club at St Andrews. 

If you would like to congratulate Jack, please visit his donation page to make a donation: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/jackcyclesafrica

Ends

Images of Jack with his bike are available here: http://resources.farmafrica.org/?c=223&k=cd4c215d6c  (double click on the image for download options).

To arrange an interview with Jack White following his return to the UK, please contact the Farm Africa Press Office:

Farm Africa press office: 
Laura Oakley, 020 7067 1252 / 07814133907 (Weekends)/ laurao@farmafrica.org

For more information on Jack and to follow his progress, please visit his website: http://jackcyclesafrica.com/

You can also follow Jack’s progress on Twitter: @CairoToCape

Notes to Editor:
 
About Farm Africa
 
Farm Africa is a charity working with families in rural Africa, helping them to produce food more effectively. By providing training and support to help farmers improve the way they manage their crops, livestock, forests and access to water, we help families build a future free from hunger. For more information about Farm Africa please visit www.farmafrica.org