Participating cyclists completed the final stage of the “Cycling for Newborns” event at the Da Nang Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital last Saturday.  Present at the hospital to welcome them were the Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Mr Nguyen Xuan Anh, and the Director of Da Nang's Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr Luong Minh Sam.  The Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Viet Nam, Dr Antony Stokes, rode with the cyclists from the Hai Van Pass to the hospital.

Cheers and smiles as British Ambassador (centre) nears the finish line.

The event was jointly organised by the UK charity Newborns Vietnam, and Vietnamese public health providers.  The 3-day 450 kilometre cycle ride from Quang Nam Province’s Thanh My Town to Quang Tri Province’s Dong Ha City to Da Nang saw the participation of 32 amateur cyclists.  They come from Viet Nam, the UK, as well as renowned groups and companies in the world.  To date, donations to “Cycling for Newborns” have reached 70,000 USD, and will be used to organise a special nurse education programme at the city’s Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital.  The hospital’s nurses will be trained by experts from Canterbury Christ Church University in the UK to develop specialist skills which will improve their care of newborn infants and their mothers, and reduce neonatal mortality.

Vice Chairman Anh spoke highly of the great support of the UK in recent years to train local medical workers who are involved in neonatology.  He also remarked that the cycle ride was of great benefit and shows the spirit of sport.  He applauded the wonderful efforts made by the participants to help to bring happiness to Vietnamese children and to ensure their bright future.