LONDON, Oct 29 (UNI): Two brothers of Haltwhistle, who work as drivers, will embark on a gruelling 1000-km ride on a bike in India next month, to help terminally ill children realise their dreams.
Andy and Mick Sinclair, who work for Tynedale Group Travel, will embark on a 11-day bike journey starting from the Taj Mahal in Agra.
They will travel around 65 miles a day, through Rajasthan, spending nights in canvas tents.
They hope to raise at least 3,000 Pounds for Make a Wish Foundation (UK), a charity they became aware of after being inspired by a young bus passenger suffering from a terminal illness.
"We were approached by the charity last year to help a young girl visit Disneyland, Paris," says Andy.
"Like all children helped by the charity, she had a terminal illness and only had months to live.
Fortunately we were in a position to provide funds and she was able to Disneyland with family where she was greeted by the characters, and led a parade with Mickey and Minnie," he added.
Tragically the girl died months later, but inspired by the charity's work to help such children live their dreams, the Sinclair brothers decided to help the charity further.
"It was Mick's 40th last year, and we wanted to do something different, and we came up with the idea," Andy added.
"The trip ahead is daunting to say the least but if terminally ill children can show so much courage and determination then surely we can all do our bit," a determined Andy said.
The brothers will cover the whole costs of the trip themselves and every penny they raise will go towards helping children with terminal illness to live their dreams.
Pakistan needs several billion dollars for reconstruction: Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Oct 29 (UNI): Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has said the reconstruction cost in the earthquake-ravaged areas would run into several billion dollars, given the extent of the damage caused to the infrastructure.
He said this while talking to president of the United States Export-Import Bank James Lambright, here last evening.
The President outlined the extent of death and destruction wreaked by the earthquake and the government's relief and rehabilitation efforts.
He said a donors' conference on reconstruction in the quake-hit zone would be held here on November 18-19 where cost estimates would be placed before Pakistan's development partners.
Gen Musharraf invited the bank to support Pakistan in its reconstruction efforts and also in augmenting foreign direct investment, which would play a key role in job creation.
While Pakistan had succeeded in attracting FDI, the potential remains much larger, he pointed out.
The government was determined to continue its policies aimed at strengthening economic growth and creating jobs which were really at the heart of poverty alleviation, despite several challenges in the quake-devastated areas, the President observed.
He said that both reconstruction and "poverty-alleviating growth" were the highest priorities of the government.
Lambright expressed concern at the widespread devastation caused by the natural calamity and the loss of thousands of precious lives.
He said the bank would look for opportunities to support Pakistan in its efforts to overcome this crisis.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and President Musharraf had a telephonic conversation during which they discussed relief operations in the earthquake-afflicted areas in view of severe cold in the region, officials said yesterday.
President Musharraf thanked Annan for his personal interest and leading efforts in enlisting international support for large-scale relief operations following the October 8 tragedy.
The UN Chief, who is expected to visit Pakistan in the near future, and President Musharraf have been in regular touch since the calamity struck.
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