SYDNEY - May 27, 2020 - Australian-based charity Hands Across the Water has launched a 30-day virtual cycling challenge across June in a last-ditch effort to save the charity. Each year Hands Across the Water help over 350 disadvantaged children and their communities in Thailand. If the charity doesn't survive there is a good chance some of these children may not survive either.

With COVID-19 travel restrictions and border closures, all of Hands Across the Water's 'Ride to Provide' fundraiser rides across Thailand have been cancelled for 2020, possibly longer. Each year, these rides are responsible for raising over two-thirds of the annual operating costs for the charity and the seven homes which it supports.

"The world is on hold. Training is on hold. Fundraising is on hold. But the kids' lives we support, we cannot put them on hold. We cannot leave their lives to chance. We would be turning the clock back 15 years, prior to Hands becoming involved...their futures would be grim; and in some cases, fatal." - Peter Baines, founder of Hands Across The Water

In an effort to keep the charity afloat, Hands has launched a virtual cycling experience called the 'Ride to Provide Virtual Challenge'. Cyclists will pedal over 800km during June from the comfort of their lounge rooms. Logging onto an interactive Zoom experience that mimics the actual ride from Petchaburi to Khao Lak in Thailand will help make this virtual reality as close to the real thing as possible. "We are determined not to let the kids down and be defeated by COVID-19," Baines says.

The 800km route has been recorded via Go Pro and will be edited into Virtual Zoom Backgrounds each day for riders to experience the exact route and amazing Thai scenery virtually. SBS and renowned Tour De France commentator, Mike Tomalaris, will join the Virtual Challenge as host and ambassador, bringing the daily Zoom experiences to life with celebrities and other notable appearances. "The work Hands Across the Water is doing in Thailand is incredible and lifesaving. I can personally recommend the Virtual Challenge to anyone!" Tomalaris says.

Each registrant for the 'Ride to Provide Virtual Challenge' is asked to raise $500 for Hands, with the goal of alleviating $500,000 of the current fundraising deficit and keeping the charity afloat.

The Virtual Challenge kicks off on June 1st, 2020 and runs for 30 days till June 30th. To register head to: www.ridetoprovide.com.au

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Sally Symonds
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