(Dhaka, Bangladesh) On 7 March, Luke Grenfell-Shaw and his pink-and-blue tandem bicycle named “Chris” departed Kolkata with permission to cross into Bangladesh at Benapole, arriving before sundown. Bangladesh becomes the 28th country for the Bristol2Beijing expedition, which began on the first of January, 2020. Virtually all countries have welcomed Luke during uncertain pandemic times.

Luke and Chris have now clocked 19,500 kms, including 2,500 in India – which Luke will re-enter in a few weeks after crossing through Bangladesh. 279 people have joined Luke on the back seat of the tandem, propelling Luke closer and closer to his goal. 51 joiners provided pedal power across India, including Luke’s mother Jenny, who joined on the tandem from Varanasi to Patna. Notably, a young CanLiver named Dev representing the regional charity partner, CanKids KidsCan, cycled with Luke for more than 1,000 kilometres. This week, a Kolkata cyclist named Divyansh joined Luke on the tandem to escort Luke to the border.

The British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson said, “I am delighted to welcome Luke to Bangladesh on the latest – and I suspect to his relief the flattest – stage of his amazing journey from Bristol to Beijing. It’s an incredible feat to have travelled so far, so inclusively, and with such an inspiring message during these last two years when people in Britain, Bangladesh and all across the world have needed something hopeful and inspiring in our lives. My heartiest congratulations to Luke and his team and my best wishes for his onward travels”

During the brief tour in Bangladesh, Bristol2Beijing will again be partnered with World Child Cancer (regional charity partner from Leg 2). In Bangladesh, World Child Cancer’s work is focused on both improving paediatric oncology services across seven government hospitals and also improving the quality of life of children with cancer who unfortunately cannot be cured. Funds raised via Bristol2Beijing’s online donations platform will be split evenly between the four UK-based charities and World Child Cancer. Read more about World Child Cancer’s work in Bangladesh at: https://worldchildcancer.org/bangladesh/. 

Bristol2Beijing is a global tandem cycling expedition that aims to redefine what is possible with a cancer diagnosis. Luke was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive sarcoma in 2018 at the age of 24. His expedition invites people to participate, especially CanLivers (Luke’s term for himself and others living with cancer) and individuals from the countries through which he is riding, in whatever ways they can. Many participate by getting active at home. More than 200 people have participated by joining Luke on the tandem – 15 of which are CanLivers. 2,048 donors have participated by contributing to Luke’s ambitious fundraising goal of £300,000 GBP for charity.

World Child Cancer is lining up cancer awareness events in the capital city of Dhaka next week. In most countries where he has travelled, Luke has spoken at schools, hospitals, companies, and cycling clubs, sharing his story, chronicles of his expedition, and insight from his inspiring perspective about how we can live more richly and fully, even with cancer.

“We are grateful to again be partnered with Bristol2Beijing during Luke’s time in our country,” said Jewel Ahmed, Programme Coordinator for Bangladesh. “Despite most childhood cancers being curable, children in Bangladesh are 80% less likely to survive than their counterparts in the UK. Diagnosis. Referral. Treatment. Family Support. Every piece of the puzzle matters. Because when it comes to giving children with cancer a happy, healthy future – collaboration is the key. We are so appreciative of the generous support of the Bristol2Beijing community.”

After his visits in Dhaka, Luke will cycle north back to India where he intends to cross Northeastern India, continuing to make his way to China and Beijing. Upon his return into India, Luke will continue his collaboration with CanKids KidsCan to spread the Bristol2Beijing message and to promote the outstanding work CanKids is doing to support young CanLivers in India. (Read more about Leg 5 of the expedition).

I am continually struck by the warmth, kindness, and generosity I continue to experience on this ride,” Luke said. “I feel incredibly fortunate to be cycling through Bangladesh where the welcome has been outstanding. It has put a big smile on my face to have already met so many wonderful people. I’m very excited to pack as much as possible into my next few weeks in this culturally and historically fascinating country. Please join me for my experience in Bangladesh and, if and when possible, please also consider contributing to the important work that my charity partners offer to CanLivers near and far.”

END

Contact:

You can find videos, images and further information about the movement and the expedition at https://bristol2beijing.org/ 

You can find out more about Luke at https://lukegrenfellshaw.com/

For questions and media requests: 

Tom Lowe / Bristol2Beijing support team / (WhatsApp) +44 7713 631489

Or

Jewel Ahmed / World Child Cancer / (WhatsApp) +880 1712-133839 / https://worldchildcancer.org/bangladesh/

Social media:

Instagram: @bristol2beijing

Twitter: @Bristol2B

Facebook: Bristol2B

Weibo: @Bristol2Beijing

ABOUT BRISTOL2BEIJING

Bristol2Beijing is a global tandem cycling expedition aiming to redefine what is possible with a cancer diagnosis. The expedition, which invites people to participate, especially CanLivers (people living with cancer) and individuals from the countries through which Luke is riding, is supporting four UK-based charities throughout the journey (Young LIves vs. Cancer, Teenage Cancer Trust, Trekstock, and 5k Your Way--Move Against Cancer) and one regional partner charity for each leg of the journey beyond the UK (Leg 5: while in Bangladesh, World Child Cancer - Bangladesh). By cycling across the world and including other CanLivers in the adventure, Bristol2Beijing is the central expression of the CanLive movement, founded by Luke Grenfell-Shaw in 2019 at the age of 25. CanLive is the belief that, even with the uncertainties that a cancer diagnosis brings, we can live with cancer, and do so richly and fully if we proactively create opportunities to make the most of today and improve our chances of living well tomorrow. Luke and his tandem, named Chris in memory of his late brother John Christopher Grenfell-Shaw, are putting CanLive into action by exploring the world, uncovering stories of positivity, resilience, and triumph in the face of adversity, and inviting the world to participate in the journey through the Bristol2Beijing expedition and the Bristol2Beijing podcast. 

For more information visit: bristol2beijing.org

ABOUT WORLD CHILD CANCER

Most childhood cancers are curable. We know this because survival rates in the UK and Europe regularly top 80%. But for children in low-income countries like Bangladesh, the prognosis is bleak. With their chance of survival falling as low as 10%, every three minutes a young life is lost to childhood cancer.

The solution? It already exists. The challenge is making sure that every child gets the diagnosis, treatment and care they need. In too many countries, public and professional awareness of childhood cancer is dangerously low. Opportunities for early diagnosis are missed. Referrals are delayed. And there are not enough health workers with the specialist skills to diagnose and treat the disease.

It is children and families that pay the price.

Determined to balance this inequality, World Child Cancer works with local, regional and international partners in some of the world’s poorest countries to improve:

• Access to treatment

• Early diagnosis

• Family support

• Advocacy

World Child Cancer’s vision is a world where every child with cancer has equal access to treatment and care, no matter where they are born.

For more information visit: https://worldchildcancer.org/