Canadian couple cycle 2500km around Thailand for children’s charity

A Canadian couple are cycling 2,500 kilometres around Thailand with the goal of raising one million baht for a children’s education charity.

Chantal Jauvin and William Thomas – from Canada – are over half way through their cycling journey to raise money for the Foundation For Rehabilitation & Development of Children and Family (FORDEC).

FORDEC is one on the main Thai charities in the education and social development sector. The NGO is dedicated to help, especially in Bangkok, underprivileged children and disadvantaged families regardless of race or religion.

The charity provides material and moral support in its centre or through its different activities and programs, with the aim of improving the conditions of living of the needy, with integrity, dedication and love.

FORDEC’s mission is to provide vulnerable children with one healthy meal a day, basic education, and support for their families. With FORDEC’s help, many children can integrate into regular and high school.

The couple started out their journey on January 10 in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya in central Thailand, headed east through Sara Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram and Surin, and northward through Maha Sarakhkam to Khon Kaen in northeast Thailand.

Then, Chantal and William headed west through Chaiyaphum and northward through Phetchabun, Phitsanulok, Uttaradat, Phrae, Lampang and arrived in Chiang Rai in northernmost yesterday.

The couple posted an update from Chiang Rai…

“We’ve made GREAT progress this week crossing our 1,500km milestone in our Cycling Challenge for Children’s Learning to keep vulnerable Thai children in school!

“We now have only three weeks left to reach our fundraising goal of 1 million baht (approx US$28,000).”

So far, the couple has completed 63% of the cycle ride and raised 60% (601,291 baht) of their one million baht goal.

Next, Chantal and William will make the arduous journey back to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya by heading southward through Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri and Ang Thong.

If you want to encourage Chantal and William to keep going you can donate to the cause here.

To keep up with where Chantal and William are in the kingdom follow the Facebook page ‘Chantal Jauvin – Author’ for daily updates on the cycling challenge.

All of the donations go to FORDEC aside from processing fees.

Chantal and William funded the entire trip themselves.

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