Saigon to Angkor Wat Charity Cycle for CLEFT

Having never been to Asia before, I was incredibly excited to take on the challenge of cycling across Vietnam and Cambodia - especially with the aim of raising funds for CLEFT, alongside five other team members. Altogether, 18 riders took part, each of us motivated by the same goal: to embrace the journey and support causes close to our hearts.

After touching down in bustling Ho Chi Minh City, we were welcomed by our guide from Charity Challenge and introduced to the rest of the group - an inspiring mix of individuals aged from their 20s to 60s. Over the next seven days, we cycled nearly 450km in scorching 32–34°C heat, supported by an incredible local crew who kept us fuelled with delicious food and snacks every 20km or so.

The Vietnamese leg of the ride took us through coconut plantations, rice fields, quiet villages, bustling street markets, and over wooden bridges. We were constantly greeted by cheerful waves from locals and excited schoolchildren. Each rest stop at peaceful Buddhist temples offered moments of cultural connection and much-needed shade. One day, we cycled past a wedding taking place right in the middle of the road!

We also had humbling moments - visiting sites affected by the horrors of past regimes in both Vietnam and Cambodia, including the Killing Fields, where we heard personal stories from our guides.

Crossing into Cambodia via a long boat ride up the Mekong, the landscape and lifestyle shifted subtly. We explored silk farms, noodle factories, and small fishing villages. Our final day of cycling - muddy, off-road, and filled with laughter from numerous tumbles - was a highlight, especially as we crossed the finish line at Angkor Wat to cheering support crew and, for the CLEFT team, a surprise reunion with family. A heartfelt medal ceremony and a visit to the majestic temples of Angkor marked a truly unforgettable end.

This was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. The warmth of the people, the stunning scenery, the camaraderie, and the sense of achievement made every kilometre count. Thank you to everyone who supported us - this adventure meant so much.

Tracy Morris, May 2025

CLEFT Trustee and cycling enthusiast

Our six fundraisers managed to raise a super impressive £7,286.60 between them!

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We are CLEFT, we support cleft lip and palate teams in poorer countries by working with local surgeons and other specialists to help them develop high quality multidisciplinary cleft centres. We do this by visiting and working with them regularly, helping to provide education and training and donating much needed equipment. Our goal is to help local teams so that children born with clefts in these countries will have the same opportunities as those in the UK.

CLEFT also supports research in the UK which will potentially benefit the much greater number of cleft lip and palate patients in countries other than the UK. Our research projects include a pilot project to develop techniques for 3-D MRI scanning of the palate, a study of the muscles of the soft palate to try to improve the quality of the surgery as well as investigating submucous cleft palate development and therapy.

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