By Matt Adams
DETERMINED to make a difference Victorian-based cyclist Brian Sommerfield has braved freezing temperatures in Goulburn and the dry humid heat of the north-west in his quest to raise money for the children of Tibet.
Having covered more than 8000km of the east coast on his bike over the past year, the enthusiastic human rights campaigner rode through Tamworth on Monday hoping to raise awareness of the hardships faced by the children in Tibet.
Mr Sommerfield said he had experiencing first-hand the harsh conditions the children of Tibet faced during a holiday in 1997. He then decided he wanted to do something to end
their suffering and harsh treatment.
“When I travelled through central and south-east Asia, Mongolia and Tibet I was appalled with how the children of Tibet were treated,” Mr Sommerfield said.
“It’s shocking to see the children subjected to regular beatings for talking to people from western cultures.
“The Tibetan culture is being taken away from these children as they are being forced to read books with Chinese writing and taught Chinese in school.
“I wanted to help the children by raising money and awareness for their plight by riding around Australia.
“I’ve experienced -8 degrees riding through Goulburn to the hot dry conditions travelling through Tamworth.”
The 55-year-old father-of-two will be in Armidale tomorrow where he is hoping to spread a little Christmas cheer to the children and patients at the Armidale Hospital.
“I want to bring some smiles and lift the spirits of the children and patients who are stuck in hospital on Christmas Day,” Mr Sommerfield said.
“From Armidale I plan to head across to Coffs Harbour then up to Queensland in time to speak at a couple of schools up there in February.”
Anyone who would like to help in Brian’s cause can donate via his website www.brian4tibet.com
