After leaving Norwich School, some pupils may choose to do a gap year before starting on their university course. For 2018 leaver Jack O’Shea, his gap year will be one to remember. Before starting university in London next year Jack is planning to cycle across Africa – a distance of 9000km.
Jack has always been a keen cyclist and completed the London to Paris ride aged just 13. His latest adventure will take him through eleven different countries, starting in Kenya and aiming to finish at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Jack will ride completely unaided, carrying everything he needs on his bike. Challenges include rough terrain, wild animals and Africa’s notorious Green Season ‘long rains’ which can make roads impassable.
If successful, Jack will be the youngest person to have cycled this distance unsupported in Africa before. He plans to arrive in South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope in July, ready to fly home and take up his place in London to study Paramedic Science this September.
Jack will be raising money for the Kitale School in Uganda and the Real World Conservation Trust. These charities support education, conservation and community care across Africa, causes which Jack feels very strongly about. His target is £10,000, with all donations going directly to the charities.
Jack has been selected as the first recipient of the Explorers against Extinction Young Explorer bursary/mentoring programme. Sara White, trustee of the Norfolk-based conservation charity, explains their involvement, “We are delighted to support Jack through our new Young Explorer Programme (YEP). This is a new initiative which aims to offer mentoring and practical advice to young people passionate about exploration and conservation. In addition to a financial bursary we offer advice on logistics, route-planning and security. We’ve arranged for local back-up should the need arise and organised for Jack to start his journey at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya”.
Ol Pejeta is the largest black rhino sanctuary in East Africa, and home to two of the world’s last remaining northern white rhino. Jack stayed at Ol Pejeta for two nights to assemble his bike and equipment before setting off on his adventure on the 6th March. While at Ol Pejeta, Jack has been able to visit the anti-poaching dog unit and the Northern White rhinos and also spent an afternoon tracking lions and chatting with rangers, staff and guides.
For more information about Jack’s ride and details about the charities he will be supporting, visit his website www.africatheride.com. The website has a link to his fundraising page where you can donate to help Jack reach his target. You will also be able to track his progress live using a GPS location tracker.
Good luck Jack!