Filipino-British cyclist Sunil Kandola raises his bike in triumph as he reaches the final leg of his journey—Beijing. Photo courtesy of Sunil Kandola, Instagram

LONDON—Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo welcomed Filipino-British cyclist Sunil Kandola following the latter’s successful journey from the United Kingdom to China by bike. Kandola cycled a total of 116 days spanning 19 countries in two continents. His journey began on 22 February in Oxford, England and concluded on 03 September in Beijing, China.

The former British Army commissioned officer undertook the arduous 9,000-mile (14,000 km) bike ride to raise funds for Save the Children, an NGO committed to helping children around the world live happy and healthy lives.

“Sunil’s strength and selflessness are truly admirable,” said the Ambassador. “He is a shining example of how far a person can go for as long as he or she puts his or her heart into it.”

In a story he published in JustGiving.com, Kandola described his journey as the “toughest physical and mental challenge to date, however, I'm fully expecting it to be the most rewarding also. I'll be completely self-sufficient on this trip, which is both exciting and nerve-racking, and I plan to be away for six months.”

“Since returning home one week ago, I've barely had any time to breathe let alone reflect on the past six months. But the over-riding emotion is gratitude, of which you all contributed,” he said in a post in Instagram. END

Ambassador Antonio M. Lagdameo receives Sunil Kandola during a courtesy call at the chancery. Photo by Senen Mangalile