Local man Jack Davies, 61, of Yalikavak will be taking part in a challenging charity bike ride in November this year. This is the impressive 480km cycle ride ‘CYCLE MEXICO’ and is in aid of BODRUM HEALTH FOUNDATION and TURGUTREIS DISABLED CHILDREN REHABILITATION CENTRE which specialises in the rehabilitation and education of disabled children.

Jack, who is enjoying early retirement in Turkey, is paying for all the costs of the trip himself and any money raised is going straight to the REHABILITATION CENTRE. He decided to take part in yet another challenge, (this will be his sixth long distance charity cycle ride plus two SCUBA diving expeditions for Coral Cay Conservation), as it is yet again for deserving children and in a part of the world he has yet to visit.

Jack completed a similar ride in India last November also for the children at the centre and even though he said before going that this would be his last one, he had such a great time that he decided to do it all again.

This is not a holiday, he explained, it is hard work, but seeing the smiling faces of the children makes it all worthwhile. The hard work has already started with all the training needed, which will have to continue all year as well as the fund-raising. It is not easy cycling around the Bodrum peninsula for up to 50 miles a day in the heat of summer.

“I have never visited Mexico,” he said, “but I am looking forward to visiting the country and in particular the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, one of the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’ ” The 6 day ride takes place in the Yucatan Peninsula, one of the most historically and culturally important areas of Mexico. Off the tourist trail, through rural Yucatan, it is a chance to discover sights and sounds of life in small towns and villages, as well as the colonial city of Valladolid and finishes by the Caribbean Sea.

Even more important though is the help given to the children with their various problems. Specialist help can change lives and the centre is working to reach children who need this help. Providing a combination of specialist therapy and education for children, information for parents, and one-to-one training according to the individual child’s needs, the centre uses indoor and outdoor facilities as well as trips away from the centre. The children whose ages range from 0-21 have been diagnosed with disabilities such as autism, downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, hyperactivity, specific learning difficulties and retarded psychosocial development.

The workshop there provides manual skills and the children make and sell, among other things, exceptional ceramic plaques in beautiful colours. They are well worth a look and if purchased look great on any house or villa wall. The increase in self confidence and motivation of the pupils is evident as they become more self reliant, self assured and independent through the training given at the centre.

“It gets harder each time I do one of these challenges, both in fund raising and training,” said Jack, “but I want to do something for these children and it is all worthwhile in the end.”

Jack has personally raised about 42,000YTL through these challenges. He will be getting individual and hopefully corporate sponsors and holding events throughout the summer and is hoping the local community will support him in this latest challenge. Jack makes greetings cards and a wide variety of craft articles which he hopes to sell and in addition he is organising dinners in local restaurants with fun auctions or quizzes afterwards. These are always well attended so booking early is advised. The first one this year has already been organised at “Our Secret Garden” in Yalikavak for St. George’s Day, 23rd April, so please contact June Barnes at “Our Secret Garden” to book your place.

If anyone would like to sponsor Jack or help with fund raising, perhaps by organising an event of your own then please do not hesitate to contact Jack on 0536 399 47 04 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .