The Team

Age: 31

Matthew is the driving force behind the team and the passion he feels for what the team are doing is very evident. Matthew spends a great deal of time promoting the work of MHPF and whether it be speaking on local radio stations or addressing the British Tanzanian Society, all of those who meet him are immediately struck by his enthusiasm for something which is obviously very important to him.

This is the second time that Matthew will be riding for African education. It was Matthew who had devised the idea of Lands End to John O'Groats and now a fleeting comment from a work colleague had resulted in him identifying the perfect 2nd challenge - cycling to Africa!

"I spent 12 long months prior to the ride wondering how I would feel when it was over. Would i miss it or would i never want to ride again? The answer; having been back for 2 days I wanted more! Although Lands End to John O'Groats was both mentally and physically exhausting, I missed the whole idea of the challenge. The gratitude heard from Simantoi when i told her how much we had raised for Memusi was something that will stay with me throughout my life.

This time around, the challenge is bigger than ever and will certainly be the challenge of a lifetime. I honestly question my own sanity at times and i think perhaps others are doing the same when they ask 'whats next?'. One thing that I know is that in 18 months we will have cycled on African soil and provided more opportunities for those who currently have none. Through the success of the challenges that we face, we are changing peoples lives forever." (Matt)

Age: 31

Malcolm has a real passion for making differences, and as a colleague and friend of Matthew was totally amazed and blown away by the sheer effort he has made to make a difference to the many children who are less fortunate and in need of support. Malcolm was an instant advocate of MHPF and its purspose and vision and was very keen from the outset to help raise funds for MHPF and awareness of the need for education. 

Malcolm is a life long sports enthusiast (with the scars to show!) and has always had a passion for being active. His passionate drive for making a difference and challenging himself to the max prompted Malcolm to persuade Matt to come along for the ride!

What also drives Malcolm on a personal level is the fact he sustained a footballing injury in 1998 and over the past decade has undergone 8 surgeries in total. After 2 reconstructions, ligament and cartilage repair, bones mended and 16 pins installed & removed in his right knee he is finally out of the surgeons grasp and fit again he considers this challenge as the most exciting and exasperating he has ever faced.

Malcolm will bring a very positive and calming influence to the team, and doesn't get daunted easily! Grit determination and a morale-raising sprit will also help to gel and bond the team together.

"A particular highlight will be sense of achievement, knowing that every turn of the pedal will go directly towards helping others. Providing education means giving somebody a chance in life, no matter the circumstance. It will be the hardest thing I have ever done, what an exciting adventure and I am sure there will be lots of sweat and tears to boot! However its an absolute privilege to be involved and riding in the company of two real charity heroes........now I'd better get some real training in!!" (Malcolm)

Age: 51

Born in Liverpool in May 1959 Bernie was one of four boys that began his life from a humble beginning.

He enjoyed a wonderful family up bringing and was kicking a football and running around the streets of his birth place Liverpool at a very tender age.

This is most likely where his were his love of running and exploration came from. His Father Patrick (Paddy) took Bernie and his brother for endless walks exploring all parts of Merseyside and beyond. Bernie was heavily influence by his Mother Philomena (Phil) in that hard work, dedication and a passion to a task did you no harm whatsoever. It was a combination of both that made the person we see in Bernie today. He has a passion to help others less fortunate than himself and to use his natural abilities to explore and push himself upon what is humanly possible at times to the benefit of others.

Over a period of 20 years he has raised in excess of one million pounds for UK charities and has invested countless hours of his own time helping others and bringing happiness into their lives by the work he does with his beloved Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation and more recently Barnardo's.

Bernie has completed 100 plus full marathons and 100 half marathons, 2 triathlons, many with various additional challenges thrown in for good measure. He has trekked unsupported to the Geographic North Pole with temperatures of 60 below freezing. Ran from John 0'Groats to Lands End in a team and on the last occasion solo in just 20 days a 900 mile journey! Bernie is a World Record Holder for the longest distance ran in seven days than any other person on the planet a total of 352.2 miles! In 2009 aged 50 he plan's to Race Across America a distance of over 3000 miles through 14 States climbing over 3 Mount Everest's enduring temperatures of 40 degrees plus, all to raise £50,000 for the British Heart Foundation. 

In 2011, Bernie will be joining the Cycle for Africa team in their journey to Africa!

Bernie belief is that ordinary people can produce the most extraordinary results both for themselves and other people less fortunate. When considering what Bernie has and continues to achieve who can argue with this statement!

Age: 64

The fact that the LEJOG trip could simply not have happened without Howards support means that he will again be central to the success of the African challenge. His ability to navigate and route plan is second to none and this knowledge and expertise will be invaluble.

Howard drove the support vehicle througout the LEJOG trip and the opportunity for him to now navigate the team through the backwaters of rural France and Spain and then into Africa is a challenge which he is relishing.

Howards support for the MHPF remains as focused as ever and he is looking forward to providing his continued support to the work that the foundation are carrying out in Africa. Over the past year, Howards involvement in the MHPF has grown. Howard feels passionately about providing opportunities in Africa through Education. He believes in the work that the Foundation are trying to do and he has remained a constant reference point for advice when challenges are faced. It is Howards belief that has seen success delivered through the Foundation as well as success in the completion of the Lands End to John O'Groats challenge.

Therefore, as well as Howards desire to be part of the challenge to cycle to Africa it is critical that he continues to play a major role to help the team achieve major success.