Vietnam Cycle Cambodia 6 March 2011

I have signed up to my biggest challenge so far.... A trip of a lifetime ..... cycling through breathtaking countryside from Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to the fascinating temples of Angkor Wat to support the lifesaving work of humanitarian landmine clearance charity MAG.

I will cycle around 470 KM over 5 days starting at the graceful city of Ho Chi Minh and gradually make my way through the paddy fields of southern Vietnam before crossing into Cambodia. The journey continues through the backwaters of Cambodia cycling through tropical countryside where the jungle stretches all the way to the roadside, alongside the Tonle Sap lake, the life blood of Cambodia, and on to one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Unesco World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat.

This is a charity event and I am aiming to raise £3,000.00 for MAG which will help to reduce the threat of death and injury and release safe land and other vital resources back to the local community.

Cambodia is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. MAG has been working in Cambodia since 1992, clearing the remnants of conflict from both the Vietnam War (1959-1975) and the Cambodian – Vietnamese War (1975-1989). Despite the fact that war has ended, families and communities remain physically endangered and socially and economically disadvantaged from the mines and bombs left behind. No one knows how many landmines remain in Cambodia, but estimations are between four and six million. From 2001 to the present day, nearly 5,000 Cambodian men, women and children have been reported as maimed or killed by weapons left behind after decades of conflict.

MAG has been working in central Vietnam since 1999, particularly in Quang Tri province which saw the majority of fighting and bombing during the 1960s and 70s. Military reports indicate that approximately 20 per cent of Vietnam’s land area is still contaminated by the 350,000 to 800,000 tonnes of unexploded ordnance (UXO) left as a legacy of the conflicts fought on Vietnamese soil throughout the 20th century.

According to UNICEF, between 1975 and 2000 there were 44,000 UXO-related accidents reported in Vietnam. As the largest non-military clearance organisation operating in Vietnam, MAG plays a key role in reducing the risk and impact of landmines and unexploded ordnance on the local population, and also in facilitating post-clearance construction and resettlement in these worst affected provinces.

MAG’s work in Cambodia and Vietnam does not just save lives; it clears the path to rural development. The extent of contamination means that much of the rural population lives day-to-day with the threat of injury or death outside their door.

MAG is committed to reducing the threat of injury and death by clearing land that will increase the social and economic opportunities of the local community through providing safe access to agricultural areas, schools, wells, health clinics and other community resources.

Derek Sparling 12/12/1928 - 26/09/2009

My father sadly passed away on the 26 September 2009 having fought a long and hard battle with Cancer of the throat.

He was cremated in Portugal and his ashes remain there. A celebration of his life was held at the Parque da Floresta Golf Club on the 1st November, where many friends from the Algarve and the UK gathered to support Pamela his wife and to reflect on their happy memories. Michael Brown and Maurice Hurst read eulogies of Derek as well as Pamela who did not leave a dry eye in the house.

I am organising a memorial service in the UK at Christ Church in Gravesend at 11:00 hrs on the 12 December 2009 and all who remeber Derek and would like to attend are most welcome.

Mouth Cancer Awareness

My father Derek has recently been diagnosed with Cancer of the Throat, it is at an advanced stage and therefore will involve surgery to remove the tumour, followed by Radiotherapy to eradicate all traces of the Cancer.

If it had been diagnosed earlier the treatment would have been a lot easier and possibly without the loss of his voicebox.

This type of Cancer is one of the less talked about and early diagnosis is critical. I am taking part in a 10K walk in Hyde Park on the 20th September 2008 on behalf of the foundation for Mouth Cancer to raise awareness.

If you would like to sponsor me please visit my fundraising page below.

http://www.justgiving.com/anthonysparling

Lorgues

I recently visited Lorgues in the South of France. It was a trip organised by an old buddy Fruitie (and his wife Lorraine) to celebrate his forthcoming 50th birthday, he invited myself and my wife (Sara) with another old buddy Clive and his wife Gillian, we stayed close to where another old buddy Eddie and his wife Renee have retired to, to build their dream home.

The guys are originally all old hockey chums and for me it was a great experience to really get to know their other halves, partly because of my various hang ups, this has not happened in the past.

The trip was a fantastic time, I cannot remember laughing as much and as often as we did. It was a real bonding experience, one that I will treasure for a long long time. I now have some new friends!

Although the trip was a non stop action packed extravaganza I came back relaxed, re-generated and raring to go.

The pictures we took capture a lot of those great moments and can be seen on my Flickr site.....so go and take a look.

So thanks again Fruitie & Lorraine and to the other participants who made it such a great trip.

Oh and by the way Sid, you know I love you man!!!!

Angkor

I am new to this and do not understand totally what blogging is all about. I would be interested to hear from anybody who has visited Angkor in Siem Reap, Cambodia and to hear their story?

At the end of October 2006 I had the most fantastic experience, a life changing one, during my short stay in Siem Reap with my Brother-In -Law Toby and his family. Toby went out of his way to give me the full Amansara experience as well as his inspiring concept of what a holiday should be in Siem Reap.

I am forever indebted for their hospitality and for helping me to experience the true values of the important things in life and also for the opportunity to experience a different culture and religion. The day we went into the hills and met the little lady hermit plus everything else that happened that day is with me forever......Thanks Toby.

Have a look at my FlickR link below to see my photos of the trip.

Which is why I am really excited about next year's adventure......Vietnam to Cambodia Cycle 2011 to help raise monies for MAG and to give a little bit back.......