Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Perhaps I didn't sell the tour very well or maybe they had heard it all before. So while in
Toronto,Iputtogetherapackage(maps,itinerary,copiesoflettersfromsponsorsandother
organizations) and sent it to STC Canada's office before I returned to the UK.
I also had a difficult time with the major Canadian banks. They were equally cold
when I wanted to set up a national account for donations. Canada Trust, however, was the
most supportive and was willing to help me in any way possible.
Ialsometwithmyformerelementaryschool(St.Benedict)andhighschool(Father
Henry Carr) administrations to talk about involving their students in my tour. I suggested
that I would send a postcard from each nation that I visited. They liked that idea and so, in
the main foyer of both schools, they had set up a display which included a world map and
space for all my postcards to be attached.
I made a presentation to St. Benedict's student body in which my father and my
younger sister attended. The school presented two gifts to me, both of which I carried on
mybikethroughoutAfrica.Thefirstwasacandleandthesecondwasacopyof“TheLittle
Engine That Could”. (I still have them!)
A Voice of Inspiration
IreturnedtotheUKinFebruarytoresumemyplanning.OneeveningasIprepared
my press kits to send to potential corporate sponsors, I happened to have the radio tuned
to BBC Radio 2 to listen to a program called 'The Jamesons”. This was a duo (a husband
and wife) who would present music and chat. They always concluded their program with
a profound thought. I am mentioning this because what they said was extremely fitting for
me. I actually wrote it down and within a week (and while in Africa) found myself reciting
it:
“Don't pray to the Lord to move your mountain, just pray to Him for the strength to climb
over it.”
The Land of Corporate Sponsors
In the land of corporate sponsorship, I rode an emotional rollercoaster. The good
news was that I picked up another sponsor. Ron Hill Sports, an athletic wear company,
sent me a lot of cycle clothing including two pairs of shoes. The bad news was that my
firstsponsor,CooksonAmericaInc.pulledout“duetocurrenteconomicconditionsworld-
wide”.
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