Duo start epic cycle to Hong Kong from Newbury

Jon Lee and Micheil Gordon have set off on an epic 10-month cycle from Newbury this morning (Wednesday)

TWO keen cyclists set off from Newbury today (Wednesday) on an epic 10-month cycle journey to Hong Kong to raise money for WaterAid.

Jon Lee, aged 22, and 24-year-old Micheil Gordon started a 10,000 mile challenge from Market Place to raise funds for the non governmental organisation, which aims to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world's poorest communities.

The duo, who both graduated from the University of Brighton with environmental science degrees in July 2009, have been sponsored £10,000 by chemical company LANXESS, which has its UK headquarters in Hambridge Lane, Newbury, and they were joined for the start of the journey by the mayor of Newbury, Ian Grose, and the managing director of LANXESS Ltd, Kim O'Connor.

The duo also travelled to St Nicolas School in Link Road, where they talked to hundreds of children and staff about the importance of the trip to Hong Kong and a cheque from LANXESS was presented to a WaterAid representative.

To find out more on the duo's challenge or to donate to the cause, click on the links below.