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Published Date: 09 April 2008
Source: Sheffield Star
Location: Sheffield

Sheffield bikers' 4,000-mile trip to help orphans




By Amy Burns
TWO men, two motorbikes, eight countries, 4,000 miles and one worthy cause.
That's the challenge facing Sheffield bikers Pete Doolan and Andy Findlay who are planning to ride their beloved bikes to Bulgaria to raise money for a cash-strapped orphanage in Pamporovo.

Pete, of Normanton Springs Road, Woodhouse, was made aware of the Stoikite orphanage's plight while holidaying in Bulgaria – and he was shocked by the conditions in which the children live.

"The beds the children sleep in are damp, there is little bed linen, nowhere to dry the clothes, no lighting that works, frost on the inside of the windows and no hot water," said Pete, who runs P J Doolan Cutting Services.

"There are communal showers with no privacy, no soap, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, towels, toilet paper or warm clothing – they are living in dirty, freezing conditions."

The orphanage is in desperate need of a new heating system as temperatures can plummet as low as -15C – but they do not have the 30,000 euros needed to fund the home.

Pete and Andy, also from Sheffield, decided to do a sponsored ride from Sheffield to Pamporovo to help the orphanage.

Setting off in August, the 4,000-mile round trip is expected to take four days each way, passing through eight countries – England, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Bulgaria.

They will sleep in tents along the way and hope to be followed by a van full of supplies for the children.

Pete said: "The bottom line is the orphanage desperately needs money.

"So if people can help by sponsoring us to do this then that's great.

"If not, I'll do it anyway and give them my own money – either way, they'll get some help."

Pete and Andy are also appealing for donations of clothing, toiletries, bedding, first aid equipment and stationery for the youngsters.

Anyone who can help should call Pete on 07968 747419.

The pair have promised to list all sponsors on their T-shirts.


Visit www.orphanagestoikite-bg.org for more information about the orphanage.