Wirral paramedic’s latest charity fundraiser is a cycling challenge through the Middle East

Aug 20 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

A PARAMEDIC will cycle 300 kilometres through the Middle East in September to raise money for Claire House and Schneider Children’s Medical Centre of Israel.

Ron Schank, 42, of Hoylake, is not shy of challenges or raising thousands of pounds for charity.

In February 2002 he walked 180 miles in 10 days from two of the September 11 crash sites in the USA, the Pentagon in Washington DC and the World Trade Centre site in New York City, to raise money for the emergency services involved in the tragedy.

Then in August 2003 he cycled 500 miles along the Birdsville Track in South Australia which runs through the Tirari, Sturt Stoney and Simpson deserts in aid of Claire House and the Australian Royal Flying Doctor Service.

His latest feat will run from September 20-24 when he will ride a mountain bike from Metulla in the North of Israel, down through the Galilee, Jerusalem, and then west towards Tel Aviv, before finishing at Schneider Children’s Medical Centre of Israel in Petah Tikva.

The rapid response paramedic for North West Ambulance Service said: “This challenge is one of the biggest I have faced. It has been a logistical nightmare but, with the support of the Israel Embassy and BMI Airlines, it will be a success.

“I’m going to be riding with 20 doctors from the Israel Medical Centre and will have a team of friends to support the challenge as well.”

Ron, who is also a volunteer with the Hoylake Lifeboat crews, is appealing to any potential sponsors, particularly suppliers to the emergency services, to aid their fundraising exploits, through cash donations online or by providing equipment to the team for the challenge.

If you want to sponsor Ron or want more information, visit www.heartsacrosstheoceans.co.uk