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Raising funds for WaterCan on the Tour d'Afrique
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A self-described “average-Joe” Michael Coo is a forty something father of two with a dream that is anything but. A bartender by trade, this one-time bike courier will participate in the Tour d'Afrique, an 11,900 kilometre (7,438-mile) bicycle race/expedition across the world's most exotic and alluring continent.
Though initially drawn by the extreme nature of the challenge, Michael is also passionate about the broader social purpose of the tour – “to raise awareness and funds for sustainable transportation in the continent of Africa”.
In addition to the portion of his registration fee that will go to promote sustainable transportation, Michael is planning to raise funds for WaterCan!
Click here to learn about the project for which Michael is raising funds.
A seasoned traveller (Michael has visited every continent except Antarctica), he is continually struck by the fundamental necessity of access to clean drinking water. “Water”, he says, “makes the difference between a community that is thriving and healthy, and one that is struggling and plagued by illness”.
He is also aware of the importance of a community based approach to development, so several years ago when the Globe and Mail ran an article identifying the top Canadian charities, Michael was excited to learn about WaterCan and the nature of our community based water projects in Eastern Africa. “The pairing of this race with the raising of funds for WaterCan is intuitive”, Coo says.
The tour will begin on January 15th, 2006 at the Giza Pyramids in Cairo, Egypt and will end on May 14th, 2006 in Cape Town, South Africa. It will consist of 100 days of cycling and 20 days of rest. Travelling through three of the four countries in which WaterCan works, Michael will provide us with regular updates regarding his progress, which can be tracked via the WaterCan website.
“There is no passion to be found playing small –
in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living”
~ Nelson Mandela .
Click here to donate online in support of Michael Coo's “Tour d'Afrique
Total raised as of January 9, 2005 - $5,988.00
Sponsors
- KingstonCyclepath
- Trailhead(Kingston)
- James Bulloch (R.E. Lepage)
- Brown's Fine Foods
and Donors
- Water Drinking Patrons of the Queens Grad Club (http://www.queensu.ca/gradclub/)
- James R. Bulloch & Carol Beatty
- Mrs. Lois Coo
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Mr. Gary H.J. Pluim
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Ms. Helen Coo
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Mr. Blaine Allan
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Ms. Ollivia M. Sexton
- Vikki and Michael Whitley
- Dr. Janet Ross – Dentist, Amherstview, Ontario
- Frank Coffey
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Judy Westbrook
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Emily Rothwell
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Meghann-Leigh Willow
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Jan Marchant
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Classic Video
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John F. Black
- Wayfarer Books
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William Burr
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Leslie Coleman
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Postal workers, Station A, Collins Bay
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Paul Herbert
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Chip
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Richard Linley
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Ace/National Car & Truck Rental
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Vincent Wong
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Darleen Scales
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Jennifer Hamilton
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Shirley Kwakkenbos
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Mike Smith
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Bev & Doug Boyd
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Vinnie
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Tyler Battle
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Sonja Cosentino
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Queen's Grad Club
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Eric Bacon
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Anonymous
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Jennifer Houghton
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Brian Judd
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Ruth Twerclochlib
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Joe & Barb Percy
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Lisa Lurz
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Monika Lurz
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Lorne Weary
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Pasta Genova - Virg Allegrini
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Faye Ibbitson
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Ian Stutt
- Jill Ferguson
- Catherine Heartfield
- Carol Kavanaugh
- Brian Breitwieser
- Virginia Wakeford
- Neil Whitley
Thanks to
- Camera Kingston
- Creemore Springs
- Cameron's Brewing
- Sleeman's/Upper Canada
- McAuslan Breweries
- Niagara Brewing
- Wellington Brewery
- Heritage Brewing
- Kingston Soundworks
- Slaves of Spanky
- Radical Dudez
- Tomate Potate
- All Bar & Kitchen staff at the Queen's Grad Club!!