Plowman Helps Coopers Square Centre Manager on Footprints Orphanage Cycle Ride

Tamworth’s (UK) Formula 3 Euro Series star Martin Plowman has pledged support to a Burton man’s mission to help raise money to build the first Footprints Orphanage in the Shimba Hills, near Mombasa in South East Kenya, founded by Kerry Watson who is also from Burton. Martin will join Coopers Square shopping centre Manager, Dave Chadfield, for part of Dave’s epic 300-mile sponsored cycle ride on Friday 5 September, which will follow Martin’s only UK motorsport round as the Formula 3 Euro Series visits Brands Hatch, Kent, on 30&31 August.

Dave Chadfield’s Footprints Orphanage bike ride challenge will start on Thursday 4 September from fellow Grosvenor Shopping Centre Fund establishment, the Dolphin Shopping Centre in Poole. Stopping en route at Basingstoke’s Festival Place on Thursday lunchtime, Dave will then head for his home shopping centre of Coopers Square on Friday before reaching the finishing post at Freshney Place in Grimsby on Saturday 6 September.

Despite experiencing his rookie year in the premier Formula 3 Euro Series, a championship just a few steps away from the 20 year-old’s Formula One ambitions, Martin recently finished in the top 14 of F3 racers from across Europe and the UK in the Masters of F3 event. Taking a brief break from his intensive fitness training and race preparation, Burton-born Martin will join Dave for the final leg of the ride in to Coopers Square on Friday 5 September.

“I am in awe of Dave’s dedication to ride over 300 miles for the Footprints Orphanage,” said Martin. “I am delighted that Dave has asked me to join him on the leg in to Burton while I’m relieved that I won’t be accompanying him on the entire trip. Although I am fit for motorsport, cycling 300 miles is in a different league. I just hope that the people of Tamworth, my family and friends, will take the time to sponsor us and help us to raise funds for such a worthy cause.”

Undaunted by the task ahead, Dave said: “I'm looking forward to the ride as it gives me a great opportunity to raise money for a fantastic cause while doing something I really love. The Footprints Orphanage bike ride will bring together the Grosvenor Shopping Centre Fund centres in sharing Kerry’s great vision and I am delighted that Martin is taking time out of his hectic race schedule to take part. I hope shoppers and motorsport fans from across the country will get behind the ride and sponsor me. No amount is too small and your donation will make a direct difference to the lives of children in Kenya.”

When Dave learned of Kerry Watson’s mission to build the first Footprints Orphanage in a small rural community in South East Kenya, where electricity and running water are unheard of, he pledged his pedal power to the cause. The dream to build the orphanage was born when Kerry visited the area as a working volunteer in 2007 and witnessed the families torn apart by HIV/AIDS and poverty, leaving children either orphaned or living on the streets.

A lady of conviction, the life-changing experience motivated Kerry to buy an acre of land near Majimboni village, close to the foothills of the Shimba Hills, on which to build the orphanage. After launching the Footprints Orphanage fundraising appeal in the UK, Kerry’s next challenge is to return to Kenya to build two simple structures. The buildings will include dormitories, for up to 18 children, two washing areas, a kitchen area, a communal area for eating and studying, a big play area and security from outside elements.

It’s easy to donate money to the Footprints Orphanage bike ride challenge. Simply log onto www.paypal.co.uk, follow the easy steps to set up an account, go to Send Money and enter the email address footprintsorphanage1@homecall.co.uk and decide the value you want to donate.

Sponsorship forms can also be collected from Coopers Square and anyone using a form to donate can also enter the competition to guess the actual mileage that Dave will cycle throughout his three-day challenge for the chance to win vouchers from each participating shopping centre.