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On May 15, Tokyo-based salarymen from the UK, Japan, Australia and the U.S., spanning four decades in age, will ride 465 kilometers from Tokyo to Minamisanriku, in less than four days.
The objective of the ride is to raise sufficient funds to establish and support a small vegetable processing factory. Donations will go directly to O.G.A. FOR AID, a Japan-registered NPO, that has been involved in relief aid and recovery work in Minamisanriku since March 2011.
O.G.A initially provided emergency supplies for the survivors but adapting to changing needs, it set up various projects to support the devastated community. OGA established the Green Farmers Association which provides land for survivors to grow, process, and sell vegetables, thus providing a sustainable business and a source of income for the region in years to come.
You can sponsor the riders at http://www.ogaforaid.org/en/kiwl.html.
© Japan Today
7 Comments
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papigiulio
good initiative, good luck to them.
ADK99
In addition to the 21 "salarymen", Angela Ortiz of OGA for Aid will also do the ride. It's a great cause so your donations would be greatly appreciated!
BurakuminDes
Have a great ride, Salarymen. If you pass through Fukushima I will be happy to shout you all an ale or two for the road!
dpercyk
I am Donny. I would love to join this trip. Can someone let me know how I can sign up for this?
Bit about myself - in 2009 I passed Minamisanriku on my way to Sapporo from Tokyo by bike on charity ride (I raised $25,000. Check Japan Times coverage: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2009/05/19/events/bike-ride-puts-new-spin-on-fund-raising/ I continued with my fundraising efforts and rode from Tokyo to Osaka with bunch of guys http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2010/05/04/events/cyclists-pedaling-to-osaka-for-hearing-impaired-pupils/ In 2012 I rode my bike to Minamisanriku, again to raise funds for Tohoku as part of my company event and we raised Euros 8000.
Also FYI, I am planning of doing 24 hour straight bike ride in summer and if anyone interested let me know my email is dpercyk@hotmail.com
ADK99
Donny, my understanding is that we're not accepting any more riders for logistical reasons, and there are quite a number of people on the waiting list in case of drop-outs. I will double-check with the organizer though, just in case. Great job with your own cycling events, looks like they were a great success!
dpercyk
Thanks for response. I got in touch with Angela and spoke to her over the phone and sent her email as well. I understand and appreciate logistical challenges but if the concern is accommodation and food, that is not a problem at all as I have means to support myself. In any event, please let me know if someone drop out. Good luck and I hope you will hit financial target.
ADK99
@BurakuminDes, we might take you up on that!
Donny, thanks for your understanding. The issue is not the cost of accommodation/food as all the riders are paying for themselves anyway. I think it was more a case of having to draw a line somewhere and start saying "no" at a certain number to prevent the group size from becoming unmanageable. I've personally had a dozen people ask to join since the riders were finalized, and it's likely that the other riders are in the same boat.