About Bangers On Bikes he Bangers On Bikes Charity Ride, conceived five years ago, is now a yearly event and proudly supported by the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club. For many years, the Bangers were involved in a rural rugby development program for Thai youth. It was at a rugby training weekend in Phuket, that the players were introduced to the Asia Center Foundation (ACF). ACF provides assistance and educational support for underprivileged Thai children in Phuket. After talking to the staff and children at the Center, the Bangers thought they could help in some way. It become apparent that funding was always an issue. The decision was made to support the Center in their long term mission to build a school. The ride was the brainchild of Bob Pearson the talented Bangers rugby veteran. Bob enlisted the support of like minded Bangers, Pete Burgess & Jean-Francois Klentzi and decided to organise a sponsored cycle ride from Bangkok to Phuket. In the following years, additional riders have thrown their weight behind the ride Patrick Bernard, Martin Hodgson, Richard Folds, Andrew Lamont, Trevor Day, Rod Kerr and Jim Beckett. All the riders fund their own ride. It is strictly volunteer. All monies collected go to charity. The Bangers On Bikes have upped the anti and the ride now support another two charities. Nak Suu Rugby Academy in Bangkok and Operation Smile in Ho Chi Minh. Nak Suu Tigers Rugby Academy works in a few of the needy slums communities around Bangkok, with a strong focus in the extremely disadvantaged Bang Pla Kot community in Samut Prakarn. The
Bob Pearson
program goal is to have a lasting impact on the lives of young under privileged Thais, providing them with the opportunity to develop skills and character needed to successfully live a life that will contribute to society. Operation Smile Vietnam is dedicated to providing free treatment to children and adults suffering from cleft lips and cleft palates while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable health care systems for children and families. Over the last four years, the Bangers On Bikes Ride has raised over 2,000,000.00 Baht. The goal this year is raise in excess of 1,000,000.00 Baht. The ride has established a substantial track record, in Thailand cycling charitable fund raising and not least, friendship, camaraderie and a unique spirit fostered by the event with both the sponsors and the charities.
CF is a non-profitable NGO that reach out to vulnerable children with educational help, which includes Day Care Centers, bursaries/ scholarships, sport as well as life skill development programs and a place for safety.
n February 9th the cycling team from the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club “Bangers On Bikes” set out on a 950 kilometer journey over five days to raise sponsorship money for three very worthy charities. The money raised will be used to support the followng charities the Asia Center Foundation (ACF) in Phuket, Nak Suu Tigers Academy in Bangkok and Operation Smile in Ho Chi Minh. Vietnam. The distance and timeframe is a real challenge both mentally and physically, add to this the hot weather, the bumpy roads and erratic driving and you will appreciate this will be a fantastic achievement. Many months of dedicated hard training and planning go into this journey. The cyclists require a support team and the support this year is even more important for their success as the cyclist move through three countries. To cycle from Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok in five days is a major challenge and I encourage you all to sponsor generously so we can in turn support the charities. On behalf of the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club, I applaud and thank the “Bangers on Bikes” and their support team and wish them safe travels and success in reaching their sponsorship targets. I thank you for giving generously. James Crossley-Smith Chairman Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club
ak Suu Rugby Academy, a program of Ark International, was founded to give children that are directly affected by poverty and lack of opportunity the chance to succeed in life. Nak Suu translated means ‘Noble Warrior’ and our kids come from some of the toughest slums of Bangkok. They are often subject to crime, prostitution, child labor and drug and substance abuse. Nak Suu is one hundred percent volunteer driven and it is our desire to ‘change lives, one child at a time’. As a result of the stellar effort of Bangers on Bikes, Nak Suu was able to purchase its first vehicle – a Thai songtaow to pick up children to bring to our training field. Through this support and the generosity of other donations, we have been able to train around 40 - 50 kids each week and expand some of our efforts in these communities in the area of health care, target community awareness in critical areas of human trafficking and start the beginning stages of developing some educational incentives to keep youth in school. None of this is possible without the support and effort of committed individuals and groups like yourselves. A huge thanks to the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club for their tireless commitment to give and get behind ACF, Nak Suu and Operation Smile. Once again they have demonstrated that they are more than just a rugby club, they are part of the local community trying hard to make a difference in people’s lives! Together we can impact and bring change. Nicole Fakaua Nak Suu Tigers Rugby Academy
Each year ACF need to raise the necessary funds to maintain projects. Overall ACF reaches 100 children on a day-to-day basis through pre-school care and education, around 50 children through the sport development program on a monthly basis and also supports 100 students with scholarships each year. In 2010 some friends of ACF made a huge financial contribution by riding bikes from Bangkok to Phuket in order to raise funds in support of ACF’s work with children. Bob, Pete and Jeff were the first participants to the “Bangkok to Phuket ACF Charity Bike ride” and inspired more of their friends to participate in the following years with the same excellent effort. Funds raised by these warm hearted, generous and adventurous fellows contributed greatly to the work of ACF. ACF has a vision to start a Youth Center and small school for disadvantaged children on Phuket. Funds raised by this event not only enabled the current work to continue, but will eventually help realize this dream. Supporting these brave men makes you just as part of what ACF tries to do as the team working directly with the children every day. Please partner with us in reaching children with hope and giving them a future, by supporting the team participating again this year Roelien Muller ACF Director peration Smile Vietnam is part of a global alliance dedicated to providing free treatment to children and adults suffering from cleft lips and cleft palates. Since 1989, Operation Smile has provided thousands of free medical procedures to children and young adults in Vietnam, and has provided additional training to Vietnamese medical professionals. Operation Smile Vietnam not only conducts cleft lip and cleft palate missions, but also dental, microsurgery and craionfacial missions, treating thousands of children each year. For twenty years we have been bringing hope to desperate Vietnamese children and their families, one smile at a time. When the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club in Bangkok offered to support our program as a charity they would like to assist on their 2014 ride we were thrilled to be associated with them. We cannot thank the rugby club enough for their commitment in supporting Operation Smile. They are making an extraordinary contribution to the cause, raising awareness and providing much needed financial support to our program. On behalf of Operation Smile I again say thanks, and hope that have a safe ride from Ho Chi Minh to Bangkok. Please give them the support they so richly deserve. Ngo Xuan Kim Khanh Marketing Manager Operation Smile Vietnam
Asia Center Foundation (ACF) is a registered Christian, Non-Government Organization (NGO) in Phuket, Thailand since November 2001. ACF is guided by dedicated Thai and foreign board members. The ACF Board Chairman is Khun Eam Thavornvongwongse from the Kata Group of Hotels in Phuket and the Board Chairman of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce. The Director is Roelien Muller (RSA), other Board Members are: Mr Timothy Byers (USA) the director of The Well Member Care Center in Chiang Mai, Khun Somchai Kiatnimit & Khun Pikul Thongthep the Director of Child Sponsorship Program in YWAM Bangkok. The Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club provides financial assistance to the ACF scholarship program, providing educational support for Thai children.
The Nak Suu Rugby Academy is committed to transforming the lives of underprivileged children in Thailand. These kids typically come from the poorest slum areas for Bangkok where the needs are greatest. CLF (“Changing Lives Forever”) desires to see children empowered with hope so they can make positive changes in their lives and in the surrounding community. The Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club assist with funding and coaching support.
Operation Smile Vietnam is part of a global alliance dedicated to providing free treatment to children and adults suffering from cleft lips and cleft palates. Operation Smile’s first Medical Mission to Vietnam took place in 1989. A 38 member volunteer medical team traveled to Hanoi and treated 100 Vietnamese children suffering from childhood facial deformities. In 1991, a volunteer network of Vietnamese medical professionals established Operation Smile Vietnam. Since its first Medical Mission in 1989, Operation Smile has provided thousands of free medical procedures to children and young adults in Vietnam, and has provided additional training to Vietnamese medical professionals. Operation Smile Vietnam not only conducts cleft lip and cleft palate missions, but also dental, microsurgery and craionfacial missions, treating thousands of children each year. For 20 years Operation Smile has been bringing hope to desperate Vietnamese children and their families, one smile at a time.
Bob Pearson. Scotland. (42)
Martin Hodgson. Scotland. (49)
If Jeff doesn’t show this year, Bob will become the only 5 time participant – not bad for a man with two knee replacements. Known as the Sean Connery of Asia, Bob loves his country so much he, like Connery, chooses to live 7000 miles from it. Bob is head of Sout East Asia sales for Vaseline Cycling Hero: William Wallace
How dedicated is the ‘Fat Hill Walker’ to the Bangers on Bikes? He shipped his entire family to England so they wouldn’t interfere with his training regime. A man of contrasts, when he’s not riding his full carbon Cippolini, Martin competes in classic races on a 1965 Steel Peugeot with leather saddle – just to harden his bum up. Cycling Hero: Philippe Thys
Thomas Pouplin. France. (38)
Trevor Day. England. (68)
No Jeff, no Patrick, no Eric, no Seigfried. It was looking good for those who hate the French – then Thomas stepped up. It would not have been the same without the stench of garlic, Camembert, Pastis & Gitanes. Thomas works with drugs. Knows the difference between testosterone and asprin. A Bangkok resident, Thomas used to live in Ho Chi Minh when he had hair. Cycling Hero : Richard Virenque
Despised by the Bangers, the “two pot screamer” has been tolerated on the last two rides for the large amount of sponsorship he brings in. Trevor is guaranteed to fall out with everyone and punched someone up by the end of Day Two. He’s been told not to turn up unless he can come up with 300,000 baht sponsorship. Cycling Hero: Bradley Wiggins (Yorkshire! Yorkshire! Yorkshire!)
Frank Switala. South Africa (51)
Rod Kerr. Australia. (49)
‘Iron’ Frank cut his teeth in the Buro vir Staatsveiligheid in his 1980s homeland & as a result does everything with ruthless precision. A fashion victim in denial, Frank has to have all the gear. A stickler for “The Rules”, he has them all memorise & will berate others mercilessly when they don’t measure up. Unlike Trevor, has never fallen foul of Rule #5. Cycling Hero : Robbie Hunter
Rod was so scared on his first Bangers ride last year that he flew his Dad in from Australia to stop Trevor bullying him. Rod has grown as a cyclist since then & is one of the driving forces behind this year’s ride. We all hope he’s having a Barbie at his mansion after the ride like last year? A retired rail worker Rod splits his time between his two passions fetish club and gardening Cycling Hero : Cadel Evans
Adam Sharp. Australia. (40)
Matthew Gauld. England. (37)
Adam spent a decade working with Martin and now can’t stand the sight of him, so he moved to Ho Chi Minh City & got a job with Sika. Adam is the Vietnam connection and the reason for the route change this year, We aregrateful for the change of scenery & the sponsorship. Rod has described him as a “voice of reason”. We’ll see if that holds true after he spends time in Trevor’s company. Cycling Hero: Robbie McEwen (Aussie,)
This pub landlord from Devon keeps fit by playing skittles & carbo-loads with alcopops. Matt recently cycled from John O’Groats to Lands’ End in 7 days. It was supposed to take 10 days but he raced out of Scotland in under 72 hours. Sick of people with their faces painted blue serving haggis and deep fried heroin. Has not met Bob yet, Expects to bond like long lost brothers. Cycling Hero: Chris Froome
Richard Folds. England. (39)
Andrew McDowell. Directeur Sportif
The “Bacon Express” returns for his 4th ride Richard has been a fixture at the back of the peloton since 2011. He returned to his native England to concentrate on cold weather training He hopes it will be big advantage regardless of the 50 degree temperature difference in SE Asia. Easy to spot, he is the fat bloke at the back not named Bob. Cycling Hero: Eddie Merckx ( He’s fat these day)
“The Chairman” has been in Thailand so long he knows everything. Fluent in Thai, Khmer & Vietnamese, he claims he can talk us through the border crossings without even having to dismount. If you need a noodle stop 50km from Sa Keow he’s your man. A natural at filling water bottles, ordering food & berating the locals, the trip would not be the same without him. Cycling Hero: Johan Bruyneel
BANGERS ON BIKES ITINERARY 2013 Day
From
Ho Chi Minh
Neak Loeang
Day 2 - Sun 10th Feb
Neak Loeang
Kampong Chhang 195
Day 3 - Mon 11th Feb
Kampong Chhang
Battembang
205
Day 4 - Tue 12th Feb
Battembang
Sa Kaeo
175
Day 5 - Wed 13th Feb
Sa Kaeo
Bangkok
220
By cheque to the order of Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club In cash to any Bangers On Bikes Rider By bank transfer to the following account : Bank : Bangkok Bank. Abdul Rahim Branch Account Name : Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club Account No : 031-3-00692-6 Account Type : Current Account
YOUR PLEDGE
Contact
Phone
CONTACT US
Fax
Email : Post :
bangersonthebike@gmail.com Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club
C/- 35/194 Soi 5/11, Muu Baan Ladawan, Sri Nakarin Road. Bang Plee, Samut Prakan 10540. Thailand. Website : www.oldbangkokbangers.com Facebook : Bangers On The Bike Charity Ride
170
SPONSOR DETAILS
Sponsors Name
Please complete the form on the right and add the amount of your pledge Receipts will be issued upon request
Kms
Day 1 - Sat 9th Feb
PAYMENT METHOD
NOTE
To
Authorized Signature