25 year old Tim Lages, a Project Manager from Bristol, cycled an incredible distance through Vietnam earlier this year to raise funds for the charity Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF), after he survived meningitis as a child.
Tim and his cycle squad have now released a short film which documents the highs and lows of their whirlwind adventure. Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/238055070
Starting on the 25 April, Tim, along with his friends Jack Davies, Sam Blanchard and Tom Gurney began their journey in the capital city of Hanoi and travelled 650 miles finally arriving at Da Nang in central Vietnam on Monday 8 May. For 14 days the group covered around 46 miles a day on rough terrain while enduring 30-40 degree Celsius heat.
Tim said, “Whilst this has been a trip of a lifetime I have to feel very lucky that I was able to do it at all. When I was very young I was diagnosed with meningitis B and my prospects didn't look too good. My parents were told to prepare themselves for the worst. Fortunately I was given expert treatment and made a full recovery. However, that’s not the case for a lot of other people. Meningitis and septicaemia are still taking many people’s lives and its children under five who are most at risk. Having had the disease myself and knowing others that have suffered from it too reinforces the need for organisations like MRF to continue doing their good work.”
Vinny Smith, Chief Executive of MRF said, “We are really grateful to Tim, Sam, Tom and Jack for taking on this huge challenge to help raise funds for MRF. Meningitis and septicaemia can strike quickly, sometimes killing in hours, and leaving some survivors with life-changing after effects. The money raised will enable us to fund vital scientific research into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis, raise awareness of the disease and support those affected.”