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Claire Greville, who comes from England, is an international teacher who now works in a Beijing school affiliated with Education First, an international education company that specializes in language training.
She is also the organizer of the Big Fun Bicycle Ride, a cycling activity in which anyone can join that is meant to raise funds to help children living in families facing financial hardships.
This is the second such activity following the one she launched last summer. Claire Greville explains that getting in a workout while contributing to a good cause has rallied her biking group.
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Participants of a big fun bicycle ride across Beijing are ready to kick off their 80-kilometer long journey on Wednesday morning, June 18, 2014 in a charity bid to raise money for the children living in poverty. [Photo/ CRIENGLISH.com] |
"It was so a lot of fun and we all really have a good time doing it. And a lot of the people that took part also ride that bike in Beijing anyway. So I personally found a really convenient way to traveling to get around, so I think it a good way and fun way to raise money for charity. And the aim of the event is to raise money for charity, so obviously the more sponsors people can get the better. We just encourage people to get as many funds as they can, so that we can make as much money as we can for the charity."
The activity's rules say that riders are scheduled to complete approximately an 80-kilometer-long journey, taking breaks to receive the appointed donations at eight EF schools in the city.
Kimberly Lawrence from America who participated in last year's big fun bicycle ride came to participate in this year's event on Thursday morning.
She said that, in preparing for the journey, riders need to contact family members, friends and anyone else who can possibly make a donation.
"I also put this information on WeChat, and so friends and families from WeChat could also tell us how much they want to donate. I have about 20 donors, so hopefully it could be a good chunk."
Although there is no minimum fundraising target, Lawrence said she would raise as much as she can because both charity and the Big Fun ride are the two things she feels passionate about.
"Well, I'm a big supporter of charity. And Roundabout is one of my favorite charities here in Beijing. I like Roundabout and I bike every day, so it's a good opportunity to put those two things together and raise money for the kids."
Lawrence's support for Roundabout, the first charity-affiliated retailer operating on the Chinese mainland, is also shared by Greville, who believes the funds they've raised via the journey to Roundabout can further spread consideration and support both financially and socially for children living in poverty.
"We've chosen to give the money that we've raised to Roundabout. They've collected a lot of donation, like clothes, balls, toys, anything really, even things like washing machines and all other things they collect. And then they distribute these things to smaller charities in Beijing who need them and also aid project."
Started in 2008, Roundabout is a social enterprise headed by volunteers, which provides a free service connecting those who wish to make a donation, be it monetary or otherwise, to those in need.
