Masters students get on their bikes for charity

Vera Thaler, from Bregenz in western Austria, has just finished her MSc Responsible Tourism Management degree alongside German friend Tina Langer, who studied MSc Sport Events Management. They are set to embark on their challenge this Sunday, 25 September.

Vera explained: “Having studied for the past year at Leeds Beckett, we decided to finish off our UK adventure with a long distance bike ride. Together we will cycle 850 miles from John O’ Groats, the top of Scotland down to Leeds. Tina will then continue all the way to her home town of Garmisch Patenkirchen in Germany – a total of 2,500miles.”

The team will cycle 850 miles in 17 days, with Tina arriving home in Germany in seven weeks.

Speaking about the inspiration for their challenge, Tina said: “Because I wanted to focus on my studies, I did not find the time to explore England as much as I would have liked in the last year. My inspiration to do the bike ride was to see more of the UK by slower travel means. Becoming really close friends over the past year and loving the outdoors, Vera decided to join me on my adventure.”

Tina is raising money for her local mountain rescue team, which she is part of. She explained: “Since I have been abroad for the last couple of years, I could not support the team as much as I would have liked. I am looking forward to giving something back to the team by raising money for equipment which they urgently need.”

To support Tina’s charity, please click here and visit her Facebook page.

Vera is supporting Volunteer Sri Lanka (VSL), a project which won her heart when she worked with them in 2011 and 2012. She said: “VSL is a non-profit organisation in Galle, Sri Lanka, which supports disadvantaged kids and adults from the area. The money I collect will go towards the ‘Bakery Project’ - a project that offers disadvantaged teenage girls, who do not have access to education, a seven-month apprenticeship, in which they learn all the essentials about baking and baking products. With the newly-gained skills, the girls can then find skilled labour in hotels, restaurants, and cafés - and with that lead an independent life.”

Speaking about the duo’s plans following the challenge, Vera added: “Our plans for the near future are uncertain for now, but we are thinking of working in Svalbard, a remote island in in the Arctic far up north, for the next few months after the bike ride.”