Businessman in charity cycle

MAG trustee and local businessman, Paul Neilson

Local businessman Paul Nielsen is preparing for a sponsored 413km ride along the coast of Sri Lanka, in aid of the Nobel Prize-winning charity MAG.

On 12 September, Mr Nielsen, a MAG (Mines Advisory Group) trustee, took part in a practise ride of 100 miles at the Arndale Centre in Manchester, to the surprise of passing shoppers.

“It was on the warm side!” he joked after his five-hour-finish, “but I’ll be cycling in 40°C heat in Sri Lanka, so it’s all good training.”

Next February, he will across the scenic coast of Sri Lanka, before traversing the inland beneath honey skies. The journey’s crescendo will see him atop the central highlands at the heart of Kandy, before moving on and finishing his travels at the port of Trincomalee.

Mr Nielsen, added: “I am a bit nervous about getting out of the trustees’ board room and into the thick of Sri Lanka; but, knowing first-hand how vital the money raised from the bike ride will be, I am completely committed to completing it and training hard.”

Manchester-based MAG, the journey’s organisers, hope to raise a minimum of £3,000 from intrigued public, and are even now arranging other sponsored journeys towards this goal.

MAG is a global humanitarian charity with the goal of reducing armed violence, clearing up still-active minefields, and wiping out all other dangerous remnants of war.

There are still places left for MAG’s Cycle Sri Lanka event. Find out more about the challenge at www.maginternational.org/cyclesrilanka.