4 | vivanews
vivanews | 5
On 1st November two intrepid adventurers, Rob Lilwall and Leon McCarron, set out on an epic winter expedition through the heart of China to raise money for Viva’s work in Asia. Carrying all of their gear on their backs, including portable kayaks and filming equipment, they began amidst the wastelands of outer Mongolia and are now heading south by foot through the Gobi Desert. Crossing into China, they will follow the Great Wall down to the turbulent waters of the Yellow River, where they will inflate their kayaks and paddle downstream to the legendary city of Xi An. Then it’s just a simple hike through the snow-capped mountains of central China before they reach their finishing point at Rob’s home in bustling Hong Kong. “People’s reactions to the trip have varied,” says 34-year-old Rob. “Some people think we’re crazy to do it and some people have been really excited and wanted to join us! But we actually just feel really blessed to be able to do an expedition like this for such a great cause.” 25-year-old Leon agrees: “There is so much I’ve been looking forward to about this trip, particularly the Gobi Desert, as it’s a place I’ve always wanted to see. But it’s more than that – knowing the trip has a bigger purpose, a bigger goal, is the main motivating factor for us.”
That goal is inspired by Rob’s experiences working for Viva in Asia: “Meeting a girl who’s been sold by her own family into the sex trade; speaking with a little boy whose earliest memories are simply of being hit and shouted at… it makes you want to do everything you can to change their situations,” he reflects, “and stop other children from ever having to go through that.” “We would love to raise several thousand pounds for Viva’s work to help these children,” Leon says, “but a lot depends on just getting the word out. We’re working hard on publicity all the time, even as we’re walking!”
R Rob battling freezing temperatures on his last expedition Cycling Home From Siberia
As well as mountainous terrain, fastflowing rivers, sudden snowstorms and a fairly monotonous diet, the boys are facing temperatures of around -20 during the day, falling to lows of -30 at night. “I was told by my physio that I needed to gain weight for this trip” says Leon, in reference to his very lean six-foot frame, “as we’re probably going to lose a lot of weight in the cold temperatures. But I just couldn’t seem to keep it on! Not with all the exercise.”
‘‘
Two men, two kayaks, two cameras… and 5,000 km to walk home
‘‘
Walking Home From Mongolia is an epic challenge that will test not only Rob and Leon’s resolve but also their ability to withstand blisters! I admire their tenacity so much and it is a mission that will make a huge difference in so many kids’ lives.
BEAR GRYLLS
Both men are in pretty good shape thanks to their past adventures. Many of you will remember Rob’s 48,000-km Cycling Home From Siberia expedition, which took him from north-east Russia back to his home in London via such wild corners of the world as Papua New Guinea, Tibet and Afghanistan. He wrote a highly-acclaimed book about his experiences and raised more than £20,000 for Viva. Leon
R Leon’s triumphant arrival in Hong Kong after his year-long cycle ride from New York
has just finished a year of cycling 14,500 miles from New York to Hong Kong and is the author of a regular column about his expeditions in The Sunday Times. You’ll be able to see Rob and Leon’s adventures on screen next year as National Geographic will be broadcasting the story on their channels. “I just hope we live to watch the footage!” jokes Rob, although Leon ends on a serious note: “We know it’s going to be tough in places, but we know that we will keep going. If we give up or don’t finish we’re not only letting ourselves down but also Viva and the children we’re helping. So I know that we’ll make it to the end no matter what.”
YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS MATTER To find out more about the expedition, or to sponsor Rob and Leon, see the interactive map at viva.org/whfm for real-time Tweets, blogs and photos of their epic walk!