Pedalling up for Homes

RAJEEV RAVIDAS

Kalimpong, Feb. 24: Thirteen cyclists from the United Kingdom, Australia and Spain are pedalling up to Kalimpong from Calcutta to raise funds for Dr. Graham’s Homes, the school that suffered extensive damage in the September earthquake.The team that started from Calcutta on Sunday is scheduled to arrive here tomorrow.

“(The) 13 volunteers from the UK, Australia and Spain are giving up their personal time and paying for all expenses to cycle some 670km over seven days to raise funds and help Dr Graham’s Homes recover from the disastrous earthquake (measured 6.8 on the Richter scale) which had caused substantial structural damage to the school building and estate,” Ken Hammond, an alumnus of the institution, wrote in www.Drgrahamshomes.co.uk.

Hammond, who is from Aberdeen in Scotland, is the only former student of the school in the 13-member team. The 111-year-old school building, 19 of the 22 cottages that house the co-educational institution’s boarders, and classrooms of the junior and senior schools had developed cracks in the September 18 earthquake. The Katherine Memorial Chapel and Steele Memorial Centre, the school’s infirmary, were also damaged by the tremors.

Hammond, who passed out of the school in 1972, has appealed for donations to help repair the school. “It (the ride) offers an opportunity to help the less fortunate and impoverished kids by raising funds and supporting their education in Homes,” he wrote.

Homes bursar David Foning said the cyclists had asked their friends to sponsor their trips, while paying for the journey themselves. “The funds given by the sponsors will be donated to the school,” said Foning.

The team reached Siliguri this evening.“The ride is supported by the UK Committee of Dr Graham’s Homes, a registered Scottish Charity, supporting the school,” Hammond wrote.

The members have been cycling for nearly 100km everyday since they started from Calcutta.

“I will actually share thoughts on the trip and the things we have all seen and experienced here, but not till we get to Kalimpong. It is difficult to put it correctly, as looking through Western eyes it is difficult to see it as they do, which would explain why we do not understand why they live as they do!,” Alan, a member of the team, wrote in his blog.(Telegraph)