On Sunday 5 June 40 cyclists joined AHEAD (Action for Health, Education And Development) on a sponsored bike ride in the charity’s quest to raise £10,000 to build a vocational training centre and support a girls’ hostel in Ethiopia. Leaving from St James Park, Walthamstow, the cyclists first stop near Peter House where they were met by Dr Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow near Peter House, who pledged to support AHEAD’s work both in the UK and Ethiopia.




Riding through Epping Forest the cyclists then stopped at the little known but unique and first ever anti-war memorial in Woodford where they were greeted by Leslie Stowe, President of Chingford Rotary Club. Erected in 1935 by the well known suffragette, feminist and political activist, Sylvia Pankhurst) in opposition to the air strikes on Ethiopia by the Italian Army, the monument provided the backdrop to a short but passionate speech by Dr Helen Pankhurst.




Thinking about what her grandmother might have said had she been alive, Dr Pankhurst commented on the diversity of the assembled cyclists (age, gender, nationalities) who had all come together to support a common cause - raising money for a disadvantaged community. As the speech over finished and followed by an ovation, the first group of cyclists returned to Walthamstow whilst others went on to High Beach and North Weald Bassett Airfield the RAF museum, where they visited. Heavy rain on the return journey failed to dampen the spirits of the determined cyclists who completed the full 40 mile ride.

AHEAD is grateful to all cyclists, supporters, Walthamstow Cycling Campaign, Chingford Rotary Club, Susan Howard and Pedalpoint who contributed to the event’s immense success. To find out more about the charity and see highlights of the ride visit www.aheadcharity.org. Donations to help meet the fundraising target still urgently needed.