8-13-07 // Online Exclusive: Bishop Fuels Bicycle Relief

Jeremiah charging hard to pass Sam Shultz Alan L. Davis

After winning the pro men’s cross country at the Sugar Mountain National Mountain Bike Series #6, Trek team member Jeremiah Bishop has decided to donate his winnings to World Bicycle Relief.

Founded in 2005, the mission of World Bicycle Relief is to provide access to independence and livelihood through the power of bicycles.

“Donating my prize money is a way I can share the benefits that I’ve enjoyed from a lifetime of riding bicycles,” Bishop explains. “I believe the bicycle is a practical answer to many of our world’s problems, and this is demonstrated by the success of World Bicycle Relief projects.” Bishop’s donation will assist World Bicycle Relief in a major project underway in Zambia, Africa. The project involves providing 26,000 bicycles to trained HIV/AIDS healthcare workers and educators. The objective is to bring healthcare to patients, patients to clinics, and preventative care education to communities. This project will require two years and $2,969,000.

“I encourage others to match my donation,” Bishop said, followed with a challenge, “For the next person to make a three hundred and eighty dollar contribution to World Bicycle Relief, I’ll send my race-winning number plate and an autographed jersey.”

Upon hearing of Bishop’s challenge, partnering bicycle retail stores, Avalon Cycles of Elkridge, MD, and Germantown Cycles of Germantown, MD, were the first to match the $380 goal.

Avalon Cycles owner Donald Rucker explains that he has trust in and respect for Bishop. Rucker says, “If he believes [World Bicycle Relief] is a good charity, then I do, too. Matching his contribution is a great way to show our support for a good cause.” He jokingly adds, “And, I wanted that jersey!”

To date, Bishop’s challenge has provided World Bicycle Relief the ability to deliver at least seven bicycles, which will serve an estimated 140 patients. To join Bishop in support of World Bicycle Relief, visit www.worldbicyclerelief.org. To add your gift to an anonymous count of bicycles provided by World Bicycle Relief, forward a copy of your contribution receipt to SupportWBR@JeremiahBishop.com.