Cycle for Love is one couple's humanitarian project to help refugees - by cycling from the United Kingdom to New Zealand and send one message: "Choose love."
The project Cycle for Love is a project developed by a couple, Molly and Haydn, to give assistance to refugees through the NGO, Help Refugees. The couple will cycle nearly 30,000 kilometres, from the United Kingdom to New Zealand, to fundraise for the organisation, which provides aid and support to refugees in camps in Greece, Paris, Syria, Turkey and Lebanon.
Cycling to help those in need
"Looking at the world now, it seems that there is so much needless suffering. We feel at this point in our lives, when we have no real responsibilities or ties, we should take to the road to do what we believe in. We want to explore the world in an intimate way and meet its people with open eyes, minds and hearts," the couple said on their website.
Molly and Haydn departed Dorset on April 24 and crossed Europe, reaching Italy in recent weeks. The next stops are Greece and the Balkans. "Our rule is: Help whoever we can along the way - not for money - not or gain - just for the sake of human kindness. Using bicycles as our trusty steeds will allow us to see the places we have always wanted to and damage the environment as little as possible," the couple said. Both Molly and Haydn are artists and are documenting their journey's progress on social media.
An experience that brings refugees closer
"The nomadic life brings us one step closer to the people we have decided to fundraise for. The people who have, more often than not, had no choice in leaving their home with a few possessions and traveling great distances," said Molly after arriving in Solferino, in Italy. "This trip has given me a far more visceral understanding of what it is like to really be 'out-there' and vulnerable in the world. To be a foreigner in countries where you can't speak the language and often feel out of place. Feeling judged and observed when arriving... sweaty and exhausted at a clean bar, with clean customers in their clean skin and clothes. We both feel a huge, growing empathy for the people we are fundraising for," she said.
Through the online platform MyDonate, Molly and Haydn are raising money that will go entirely to the work of Help Refugees. They have raised more than 2,500 British pounds so far. The message the couple wants to send is simple: "Choose love."
"We both believe this world is in a difficult and divided state and hope to form friendships and spread positivity wherever we go. There will be ups and downs like every huge human challenge but ultimately we hope to change our own lives and our perception of the world one bike-wheel revolution at a time".