YINCHUAN: 56-year-old Ding Gaoqiang has just cycled home with seven others from a mountainous village in Xihaigu, one of China’s poorest areas, with the 600-kilometer journey taking them four days.
“We returned in advance, because it has been raining these days, and riding on muddy village roads is not safe,” said Ding.
They rode not just for fun.
Starting from Yinchuan, capital city of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, they rode to Zhongliang village in Guyuan city, and sent flour and milk to elderly people who live alone and in poverty. They also bought agricultural products from the villagers to support them.
“We are calling on good-hearted people to purchase agricultural products to be harvested within a few months to help more poor villagers,” said Ding.
This is the fifth such trip undertaken by Ding. Since 2005, the cycling enthusiast has taken part in many outdoor cycling races related to environmental protection. Doing volunteer work by bike has become an indispensible part of his life.
Since 2012, Ding and his riding peers have made the poverty-stricken Xihaigu area their regular destination. They collected personal information of poor children, elders and ill people there, and gave the information to organizations or people willing to help.
Each time, they ride up to 2,000 kilometers, which often takes them at least 10 days. “Riding in mountainous areas is bittersweet. You can enjoy beautiful scenery, but on some bumpy paths, you have to push your bicycles forward,” Ding said, adding that the good part is that they all share the same belief: calling on more people to help those in need in this way. – Agencies
