FINANCE worker Danny Martin is training for a 250-mile sponsored cycle ride in Death Valley in the USA in November to raise funds for an organisation that clears mines from conflict zones around the world.

Mr Martin (47), who lives in Rue de Craslin in St Peter, will tackle the gruelling five-day ride that features climbs as high as 3,400 ft a day.

He will be among a team raising money for the Mines Advisory Group.

MAG is co-laureate of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded for its work with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

The campaign culminated in the 1997 international treaty that bans antipersonnel landmines, sometimes referred to as the Ottawa Convention.

MAG works with local communities in current and former war zones to lessen the threat of death and injury. Its work releases safe land and other vital resources back to local populations. This helps countries rebuild after a conflict.

MAG has worked in around 35 countries since 1989 and currently has operations in Angola, Burundi, Cambodia, Chad, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Lebanon, Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Vietnam.

Mr Martin said its work include clearance of cluster bombs as well as deadly landmines. He said that MAG also trained victims to become ‘deminers’ so they can earn money while helping to make their environment safer.
Mr Martin’s commitment is to secure a minimum of £3,000 in sponsorship.

However, he is trying to raise as much as possible and has adopted a novel approach taking a home-made tombola to car boot sales and other events around the Island.

‘I have always wanted to undertake a cycling challenge to raise money for communities in need elsewhere. I used to sponsor a child overseas through the World Family charity and this is an extension of that,’ he said.

The testing ride will start on 9 November on the Nevada-California border and the most difficult section is likely to be the climb up Towne Pass on the third day of cycling.

That is followed by two days of riding over 60 miles each day before the no doubt saddle-sore group will finish in Las Vegas.

‘It is going to be tough with temperatures of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit each day but I am looking forward to it immensely as it will be helping a good cause,’ said Mr Martin.

Anyone who wants to sponsor him is asked to either telephone 854881 or go online to www.maginternational.org/danny-martin