Mayor of Derry and Strabane to host reception for NI cyclists embarking on a 'gruelling cycle ride' across Rwanda

A team of cyclists from across Northern Ireland will embark on a gruelling cycle ride in Rwanda, dubbed ‘the Land of a Thousand Hills’ in February.

The cyclists, who include a sculptor, a barrister and Northern Ireland’s first black Presbyterian minister aim to raise £40,000 for aid and development the charity Tearfund who support those in greatest need to move from a cycle of despair to a cycle of hope. The launch will also mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Alderman Hilary McClintock, chose Tearfund as one of her charities of the year and is supporting the Cycle of Hope with a special reception on Thursday.

Speaking ahead of the event she said: ‘Tearfund is a wonderful charity that works in partnership with Christian agencies and churches worldwide to tackle the causes and effects of poverty. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have food, money or possessions and these are the people Tearfund helps most. I am very supportive of their work which is why the charity is one of my chosen charities for my year as Mayor.

"I fully commend the cyclists who have agreed to this exhausting challenge and while I am certain it will be a very tough challenge I am also certain it will be worthwhile in raising essential funds for the charity and raising awareness on poverty. I look forward to wishing them my very best ahead of their journey at a reception I will be holding at the Guildhall on Thursday (26th) and encourage everyone to support them.’

The launch will come just one day before Holocaust Memorial Day, a poignant time to mark the large-scale atrocities such as the one suffered by the people of Rwanda in 1994, leaving over one million people dead in just 100 days - almost half of Northern Ireland’s current population. The country has been transformed through peace and reconciliation work in the last two decades, but the marks of inter-tribal conflict are still evident with many still struggling to survive. Tearfund works on the ground in the places of greatest need, bringing aid and emergency supplies as well as long-term support for communities and families, involving livelihood training, counselling and community facilitation.

‘The Cycle of Hope’ will involve 16 people cycling over 180 miles over three days, often at high elevation. The cyclists will also visit Tearfund projects across the country, focusing on peace and reconciliation work and on the alleviation of poverty amongst those in greatest need - people whose lives have gone from despair to hope.

Paul Francis, from Tearfund, said: “This cycling challenge will be physically difficult - as a team, we’ve been training for months. But we’re looking forward to seeing firsthand how people’s lives have been changed, turned from despair to hope, thanks to the work of Tearfund. It’s wonderful to have the support of Mayor McClintock as we embark and we look forward to her joining us next time!”