On February 17th I took part in a fundraising bike ride to help reduce maternal mortality in third world countries through a charity called Maternity Worldwide.  

I’m sure many people are not aware (including myself until recently) that 1 in 20 women in Africa die in pregnancy, compared to 1 in 3000 in the UK. Maternity Worldwide has been operating since 2002 and will use the money we fundraise to help reduce these statistics in developing countries, in particular Ethiopia, by providing access to obstetric care facilities, treatment and skilled staff. In Ethiopia, it costs just £15 to help ensure the safety of a mother during childbirth! Maternity Worldwide have done such amazing work in Ethiopia that they are now looking to extend their work into Malawi.

The bike ride covered around 185 miles of Western Ethiopia, from the capital Addis Ababa to Gimbie over seven days. It was a massive challenge, but for such a great cause. And at the end of the ride got to see firsthand how the money we’ve fundraised is being put to use in Gimbie.

After having travelled around Africa last year, I got to truly appreciate how lucky we are and decided it is time to give something back to those a little less fortunate than us. 

So dig deep people, it’s a great cause and every little bit will be appreciated….