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Sep 3, 2010

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Press Notice 9th June 2010

Simon Rooksby founder and chairman of Hailsham based charity, "Computers for Charities" returns to Hailsham having travelled 5500 miles by motorcycle in 10 days equalling the distance of travelling overland from Hailsham to Zimbabwe

Simon says : "This new initiative is a dream come true, having taken years to come to fruition as we seek to extend the charities support further afield. Computers for Charities has been taking care of computer reuse and recycling since 1994 which has been made possible by the support of high profile donors including Korn Ferry Whitehead Mann and Reed Business Information.

Tony Jackman of BMW says: "This is an epic journey across parts of Europe that the charity could not access without the bike. We are really pleased to be taking part in this. The work that Computers for Charities does is really important as it makes use of unwanted computers that companies no longer use and donates them to worthwhile causes. This trip highlights exactly what Computers for Charities does."

Launching the charities latest initiative has proved quite a feat of stamina and endurance given the distances involved, as from day one when travelling alone and non stop from Sussex to Milan in Italy covering 869 miles, this new mode of transport enables rapid support and assistance to organisations across the UK and Europe.

Simon met with charities and projects in Albania, Italy, France and Spain, spending three days working in Albania with children’s and disability initiatives involved working from 8am to midnight as the charity sought to aid organisations combat the issue of pirated computer software which seemingly is common practice in such countries and by leading companies.

To this end three projects were aided by Simon and Computers for Charities with the supply and installation of legitimate software program to aid the organisations work and support to local communities.

In Milan Simon met with organisations addressing the growing problem of Sex Trafficking and was introduced to young victims having only recently been abducted from villages and families in Romania to a life on the streets and given the open border policy across Europe represents the downside of membership of the European Community given the freedom of access enabling such clandestine activity.

Simon says such journeys are far from being a picnic when facing such needs the charity seeks to support. In addition temperatures ranged from 35c – 40c making for uncomfortable travelling requiring regular stops to replenish fluids, plus minor problems with the bike which were aided by support from Brighton based Chandlers in providing links both in Milan and Madrid to access spare parts for the journey.

However given the average yearly mileage for a motorcycle is 3000 miles the 15 year old BMW R1100RS has performed exceptionally well and many remain amazed and surprised at the ground Simon has covered over this short period. No mean feat.

Simon says we remain disappointed that requests to various shipping companies to aid this venture failed to get even a response, however companies as with Chandlers BMW and Eastbourne Vinyl Design have proved amazing in ensuring safety and road worthiness which is crucial when undertaking even a short journey.

And now it’s planning the next journeys which include Poland, Romania, Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Macedonia and back to Albania regardless of the costs involved given the benefits provided are incalculable.

For further information or contact. Email: info@computersforcharities.org, Web: www.computersforcharities.org or tel: 01323 840641

Simon has written a blog outlining his travels where you can find out more about the projects that Computers for Charities supports and the details of his bike ride. Find out more at http://corporate.computersforcharities.org/blog

Notes to Editors

Computers for Charities ranks as the oldest and most diverse IT reuse charity in the UK. Operating since 1994, Computers for Charities has handled more than 250,000 computer systems, benefitting projects and organisations across the UK and 105 countries worldwide.

Chandlers is a specialist BMW dealership headquartered in East Sussex with branches across Sussex

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New project launch Thursday 20th May. Check our blog for further information http://corporate.computersforcharities.org/blog or click more for further information