This September we – Kien, Minh, Tong and George – will join a group of cyclists from across South East Asia to cycle 500 km to raise money to save the lives of newborn babies in Vietnam.

Our ride will take us through the Vietnamese central highlands, along the Laos border and down the Vietnamese coast to finish – after 3 days – at the Hospital for Women and Children in Da Nang, where we will meet some of the doctors and nurses whose work we are fundraising for.

None of us have any previous long distance cycling experience, so we are all coming at this from a standing start – and it would mean a lot to us to have your support. 

And it would mean even more to Newborns Vietnam, the Hospital, the doctors and nurses and especially the babies, mothers and their families that they all work so hard to care for, if you could help us make a difference for them.

Our firm, Hogan Lovells, is a proud sponsor of Cycle a Difference which allows all our fundraising to take place, and we – and Kien and George especially – have worked closely with Newborns Vietnam to support their work here.

Through our partnership, we have seen first-hand the difference that can be made, and is being made, to the care of babies in Vietnam, and we are excited that we – and you – can play a part in that.

Here's some more about each one of us, our personal reasons for cycling and some inspirational quotes:

Kien – previous cycling experience: none. I'm cycling for Newborns because when working with them, I have had the chance to know what they contribute to Vietnam, and especially for newborn babies, the future and to our country's development. I strongly believe that with the support, training and investment of Newborns, the medical of Vietnam in general, and the neonatal teams, in particular can be developed and can provide more specialist care and save more newborn lives.

Minh – previous cycling experience: none. I'm cycling for Newborns because their programs are meaningful for Da Nang and for Vietnam in general: they help newborn babies to have better lives. My inspirational quote is "Be human and enjoy everything you do".

Tong – previous cycling experience: none. I am cycling 500 kilometers in 3 days for Newborns to raise funds for neonatal nurse training and life-saving equipment. I feel sad when over a million babies die every year on their first day partly due to the critical shortage of trained nurses. My inspirational quote is "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving". 

George – previous cycling experience: commuting in London traffic (and weather). I'm cycling for Newborns as I've worked with them closely and have seen first-hand the good work they do and their dedication to it. Here's my favourite inspirational quote, uttered by Bodie from the Wire: "Do what you feel but be ready to finish what you start." A motto to live by.

We'd also like to give special thanks to Guim of The Hanoi Bicycle Collective for giving his time, expertise and guidance in support of our efforts.

And for all the cyclists out there – see you on the road.