Majorcan team to cycle for peace

THIS September a team of lady cyclists from Majorca will take part in a ride across four countriies of the Middle East to promote the cause of peace.
The women will join 400 others from around the globe to cycle across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine with a project called Follow The Women.
Mandy van Zuydam, one of the volunteer cyclists believes that it is the power of women working together that can make a difference. “What I like about this ride is that it is not about politics, but about giving peace and dignity a voice.” Mandy, a freelance journalist from Es Capdella, is just one of the hundreds of women who will leave home, jobs, husbands and children for ten days from September 15 to 25 this year to take part in the ride. Follow The Women is an international peace movement which began in 2003 when a youth worker from Reading in Berkshire, Detta Regan visited Palestine during a youth exchange programme. This year's ride will be a demonstration of female solidarity with almost 400 women of 30 different nationalities taking part. “We are proud to be doing our bit by representing the Balearic Islands” says Mandy. The women will be training between now and September and raising money for local charities and for a counselling centre in Ramallah in Palestine. Tomorrow, the Majorca team of cyclists and the founder of Follow The Women, Detta Regan will be holding a fundraiser at The Anchor Bar (formerly Lloyds) on the seafront at Palmanova from 7pm onwards. The organisers ask that people bring along any unwanted bicycles to donate to the children's home of Majorca. After the function at The Anchor Bar the cyclists have numerous fundraisers planned for the summer, including a raffle. They are also looking for sponsors. For more information or to help the project call 620004461.