A CYCLIST is set to undertake an epic journey to Kenya – all in the name of charity. Mark Nash, 27, grew up in Royston, and attended Greneway and Meridian schools. And now Mr Nash, who lives in Cambridge and works as a cycle courier, has decided to up sti

A CYCLIST is set to undertake an epic journey to Kenya - all in the name of charity.

Mark Nash, 27, grew up in Royston, and attended Greneway and Meridian schools.

And now Mr Nash, who lives in Cambridge and works as a cycle courier, has decided to up sticks and set off on a 6,000 mile bicycle rally to East Africa.

Mr Nash is one member of a 12-strong team who will cycle from Cambridge to Kenya, with the aim of raising more than £60,000 to build a new school in the country.

Mr Nash told The Crow how the trip - Down Right Kenya - came about.

He said: "My boss is the trustee of a charity called Harambee Schools Kenya, and he said to me one day he was going to cycle to Kenya.

"I said immediately 'I am coming with you'."

Harambee Schools Kenya has been building and supporting schools in rural Kenya since 1999.

And Mr Nash believes that the charity does a vital job helping to educate children in the poverty-stricken African country.

"It is an amazing charity," he said.

"It is a very small charity which is run by one Western guy out in Kenya.

"He sources the local community to build and equip schools and provide uniforms for children."

The group is made up of both men and women, not all of whom are experienced cyclists.

Indeed, Mr Nash will be one of the more experienced cyclists on the trip.

He said: "I have done the most training, but only because I am a cycle courier!"

The rally starts in Cambridge on September 20, and the first stop will be Harwich, where the team will catch a ferry to Holland.

From there, the ride is set to pass through a number of European countries, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, and Turkey.

After reaching Turkey, the cyclists will then cross a number of Middle Eastern and African countries, including Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and Sudan, before arriving in Kenya.

For more information about the trip, including how to sponsor any of the riders, visit www.downrightkenya.org.