The Ho Chi Minh trail for charity

6:43am Saturday 18th November 2006

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The owner of Richmond toys and games shop They Walk Among Us will embark on a 500km cycle ride on November 23.

Jon Browne will ride up the Mekong Delta from Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam to the temples at Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Jon, who has Type I insulin dependent diabetes, is undertaking this journey in aid of the charity Diabetes UK, and to raise awareness that the condition need not prevent people from achieving personal goals.

During the ride, Jon will encounter jungle and wilderness with often dense vegetation in extreme conditions and temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees.

"It is going to be quite a physical challenge," said Jon. "I've been training on tarmac and there isn't a lot of that in Cambodia. I'm a bit nervous, but now I just want to get going."

There has been strong support for the cycle ride and nearly £2,000 has been raised so far.

Jon said: "I am amazed. A couple of thousand pounds have come in so far. My friends have been amazing and the generosity is simply overwhelming. The warmth and range of support has been incredible."

On Saturday, November 11, at a private party, an auction of items donated by supporters and well-wishers added to the total raised.

Items included a unique print signed by Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett, and Jon's brother Cass from the band, Gorillaz.

Two AAA backstage passes from the recent Electric Proms signed by Roger Daltry and Pete Townsend from The Who, and a pair of tickets to the England v South Africa rugby match on November 25 were also on offer.

The items are being displayed in the They Walk Among Us' shop window where they can be viewed.