- UK cancer fighter on round-the-world cycling mission arrives in Dubai
Dubai - At a City Seasons Hotel Dubai press conference today, Thomas Tapken, Group General Manager, introduced two intrepid brothers from the UK on a charitable round-the-world cycling mission to local media.
The brothers, Jon and Dom Wright gave up their jobs in the UK and are cycling around the world in the ‘Tropic of Cancer Challenge’ raising cancer awareness and highlighting the benefits of early detection.
Jon Wright 27, himself battling cancer and pursuing the Tropic of Cancer cycling challenge with brother Dom Wright arrived in Dubai on December 30. City Seasons Group of Hotels, led by Thomas Tapken, has supported the TCC challenge in the UAE by organizing an extensive awareness campaign and hosting their stay in Dubai.
Jon and Dom set out on a mission to cycle 11,000 miles along the Tropic of Cancer over a period of nine months, spreading awareness and emphasizing the importance of early detection of cancer, which can strike even the young. Jon’s ambition to “create a positive outcome from a negative situation” resulted in the launch of TCC: the challenge to cycle round the Tropic of Cancer.
The duo began their expedition on October 9, 2009 from the Bank of England, London UK, and cycled through France, Italy and Sicily, crossing to Tunisia and heading east. Cycling an average of 50 miles a day they crossed Libya and Egypt before reaching the United Arab Emirates.
According to Jon, life on the road does not always offer comfortable accommodations such as those they have found in Dubai: “Yes, we do carry a tent to pitch in the dark, where help is out of reach; but here in Dubai, we found City Seasons Hotels – Thomas Tapken and his team have all been extremely supportive not only in accommodating us in the hotel, but also in bringing our charitable cause to the attention of the local media.”
Mr. Thomas Tapken, Group General Manager, City Seasons Group, is well known in Dubai for his support of charitable events:
“I am amazed by the strength and fortitude these two young brothers have displayed, not only in the face of such potentially tragic circumstances, but in their ability to turn a negative event into something positive and fun. They clearly have fun on the road, and have met some wonderful people along the way, but they are motivated by the higher goal of raising awareness of the benefits of early detection – at any age.” Said Mr Tapken.
Jon and Dom will proceed from Dubai to Oman on January 8 and later to Mumbai, India. Their travels will bring them back to Dubai around the end of their trip, if all goes according to plan.
Jon’s fiancé Holly Rose, a professional singer who stands by him through thick and thin, flew in to Dubai to spend New Year in Dubai, and plans to meet him again in India.
The finishing line will be Havana, Cuba, in time for summer solstice on 21st June 2010 – which, according to Jon “symbolizes the long and prosperous life which can be enjoyed after cancer.”
The brothers’ adventures can be followed on Twitter @tccchallenge
