This September Simon, a training NHS rehabilitation therapist, will attempt to cycle from the Mediterranean shores of Alexandria, to the Pyramids of Cairo, and down along the river Nile, past the Valley of Kings, and finally through the fierce heat of the southern deserts until he reaches Aswan 1000 miles to the south (see Journey for more details).

He is doing this to both promote the profession of Occupational Therapy, and to raise sponsorship money for the Children's Variety Club Charity (Registered charity 209259), who are dedicated to helping the disabled children we work with.
Imagine being confined to one room until someone moves you into another. A specially adapted wheelchair allows children to move about their home freely and helps them join in the activities of daily living with their families, whilst meeting all their medical needs. Youngsters at school find it much easier to take part in classroom activities, leisure and sports. And of course, the physical burden on the family and carers is much reduced with a lightweight or electric wheelchair.

A new wheelchair often give a child his or her first experience of playing in the park with other children or of going on trips with friends and family. Such simple pleasures can only be made possible with the gift of a mobility aid.
These children have all the spirit and determination they need to make the most of their world and their future. Variety Club tries to make their journey a little easier.

You can follow Simon's journey through the Online Journal

But above all, please sponsor him. He has put in a lot of overtime to cover the costs of this attempt (equipment, flights, supplies etc), so all money donated will go directly to help disabled UK children.

Feel free to contact Simon at: nileforasmile@hotmail.com