Navigating the globe for UNICEF

Navigating the globe for UNICEF

- Adventurer Sean Newall’s Commonwealth Challenge -

Adventurer Sean Newell is currently cycling New Zealand as part of the ‘Commonwealth Challenge’ – a four year journey which will take him to 72 Commonwealth nations around the globe whilst raising funds for UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund).

The plucky Scot set out from Glasgow on July 23, 2010 for the first leg of the challenge which will see him cycling 40,000km. So far Sean has worn down seven sets of tyres cycling through Europe, China, India, South East Asia and Australia. He will finish the New Zealand section of the trip in Auckland on 18 April when he flies to Central America.

Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and Sean came up with the idea of the Challenge to promote the games and to help support UNICEF’s sport development work in developing countries. In Wellington to visit UNICEF NZ’s offices, Sean said, “I wanted to support UNICEF on this journey because they do such amazing work around the globe, saving more children’s lives than any other charity”.

Sean’s journey has taken him through many countries such as Pakistan and Sri Lanka where UNICEF is working on the ground to help children. He admits experiencing these places first-hand has been one of the trip’s many highs, “Cycling the Karakorum highway in Pakistan was an unbelievable experience since it was so beautiful and isolated. And I am really enjoying being in New Zealand – Dunedin was just like being at home. The people are great and the landscapes here are just beautiful, although the hills are causing me some trouble!”

Dennis McKinlay, Executive Director at UNICEF NZ, said: “Sean’s journey is truly an inspiring one and we are very grateful to him for undertaking such a tough challenge to support UNICEF’s work in saving and transforming children’s lives.

“He has another few days left in New Zealand so if you see him on the way in his bright blue UNICEF t-shirt, please give him your support by either joining him en route, making a donation or just encouraging him to make it up all those hills!”

Sean is looking forward to seeing family and friends back in Glasgow in May after the first leg of the trip is complete. He then has a few months off to prepare for the second leg of the Challenge to cycle through Africa. This is followed by pedal-boating the Atlantic and culminates with a sailing trip to cover the remaining nations with the plan to be back in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

ENDS

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