The Paul Sherwen Project Announces Funding for the Matany Girls’ Vocational School and 2nd Annual Paul Sherwen Classic Bike Race

December 1, 2020

PaulSherwenProject.com up and running, ready to receive #GivingTuesday donations

The Chairman of the Board for the Paul Sherwen Project, legendary cycling commentator Phil Liggett, and fellow Board members, announce the launch of the official site for the Paul Sherwen Project.

“The Paul Sherwen Project is up and running and we are delighted to be making our first two monetary grants to programmes in Uganda that were close to Paul’s heart.”

The Paul Sherwen Project will be a $1,000 sponsor to the 2^nd Annual Paul Sherwen Classic Bike Race, which will be held in the western town of Kabale, close to Rwanda.  Known for its good roads over mountainous terrain, the race draws participation from East African’s burgeoning cycling community and shines a spotlight on the area’s tourism, home to the mountain gorilla.

Race Director, former Uganda national cyclist, Ismael Ssebayigga, founded the first cycling race of its kind in Uganda to honour his late friend Paul, whom he met years ago when Paul facilitated the donation of bikes to the national team. “Paul was a special person. He loved cycling and he loved Uganda. I think this is the best way I can honour the friendship we shared. His name will endure and other cyclists from here shall remember him.”

A further contribution of $5,000 will go to support skills training at the Matany Girls’ Vocational School in Karamoja, founded by Paul’s friend Florence Naduk. This donation will support students to attend the school and furnish necessary kitchen and classroom equipment. The first group of 15 girls, sponsored by Save the Children, are from local mining communities. Florence reports “The harsh reality of poverty means that girls are often made to work at a young age instead of being allowed to attend school. Now they are happily busy here with me learning life and vocational skills.”

These funds were made available to the Paul Sherwen Project in partnership with ROAD iD during this year’s Tour de France, where $15 from every Limited Edition Paul Sherwen ROAD iD sold was donated to the Paul Sherwen Project. “It’s an extraordinary honor to partner with the Paul Sherwen Project in an effort to continue Paul’s great work,” says Edward Wimmer, CEO of ROAD iD.

“In this difficult time of loss and uncertainty I look to bolstering the relationships Paul fostered in his lifetime. Giving Tuesday is an opportunity to do just that. Please consider making a donation to Paul’s projects.  And you can protect yourself and your loved ones by purchasing a Limited Edition Paul Sherwen ROAD iD, in Paul’s name and in his honour.”  Katherine Sherwen

On #GivingTuesday we invite you to come along on this adventure. Visit paulsherwenproject.com. Give today and come back to see what your act of generosity and caring has done to improve the lives of girls and aspiring cyclists in East Africa. When this current world pandemic has subsided, there will be opportunities to participate and interact more closely, to share your skills, to ride a bike on the mountainous terrain of one of the world’s most beautiful places on earth, and to truly connect with people on the other side of the globe as Paul did throughout his life. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”  An African proverb that deeply resonated with Paul.

About the Paul Sherwen Project

The Paul Sherwen Project exists to support Paul’s vision of empowering local people to drive progress and economic development through education, job skills and personal training, while promoting and protecting the unique culture and environment of Uganda and East Africa. The Paul Sherwen Project is a non-profit corporation and has applied for recognition as a tax-exempt charitable private foundation under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.  Visit the paulsherwenproject.com for more information.

About ROAD iD

ROAD iD makes wearable identification for people on the go. Their mission is to make wearing ID as common as a seatbelt, and since 1999, they’ve provided peace of mind to millions of active individuals, empowering them to do what they love and worry less with their info on-hand. Should the need arise, their ID products communicate who you are, who to contact, and the medical information necessary to ensure proper care is received. Countless stories and testimonials from customers over the years are a testament to the power of wearing ID, with many customers citing they might not be alive today had it not been for their ROAD iD. For more information, visit ROADiD.com/paulsherwen. The Limited Edition Paul Sherwen ROAD iD is still available with $15 of each purchase going to support the Paul Sherwen Project. You can also donate to the PSP at ROAD iD here.