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WI Women Cycle Cuba
From 16 to 25 November 2006 thirty-four WI members will cycle 328km around Cuba to raise vital funds to support new building work at Denman College, the National Federation of Women’s Institutes' adult education college in Oxfordshire.

The five day cycle challenge is the brainchild of NFWI trustee, Liz Eaton. Liz has taken part in other charity challenges and from these had the motivation to organise one for the WI. Liz said; “The WI has given me so many wonderful opportunities, I want to give something back”. Liz alone has raised over £3000 for the project so far.

Cuba Cyclist
The volunteers, aged between twenty-six and sixty-nine have spent the last eighteen months encouraging each other with their fitness regimes. One member, Jean Burgess, who is also taking part, said; “The build-up has been life-changing. I have lost three dress sizes and given up smoking”.

When the members finish the five day challenge that begins at the Bay of Pigs and will take them through the city of Trinidad, they will be greeted at the finishing line by a local Cuban band.

The WI is an active, campaigning organisation with 215,000 members. Liz said; “The Cycle Cuba challenge is another way members can get up, get out and get involved”. The women have even inspired a man to take part in the cycling challenge.