Pedaling for a purpose - Bronx couple takes on 575-mile ride to support Jamaican alma mater

When Andre and Christine DaCosta conceived the idea of riding the Empire State Trail, which runs from Niagara Falls to New York City, what began as a fun trip quickly evolved into a fundraising effort for Vaughansfield Infant and Primary School in t James, Jamaica.

The couple set a target of raising US$5,000 for the school, which Christine attended while growing up in Jamaica.

Christine told The Gleaner yesterday that she and her husband were adventurous people who decided to take on the 575-mile cycling journey.

“I spoke with several people to bounce the idea of turning the trip into a fundraiser for the school and was encouraged to do so,” she said.

The couple began the trip on October 19 and had already completed more than 400 miles. They expected to finish the journey on Friday.

Dubbed 'Pedaling with a Purpose', the initiative is their way of giving back to the community, Christine said.

To help reach their US$5,000 target, they established a GoFundMe page detailing their 575-mile, 11-day cycling journey.

“But this journey is about more than just the miles we ride,” the page states.

“It is also about something very close to my heart –giving back to the community in Jamaica that helped shape who I am,” Christine said on the page.

She has invited alumni of Vaughansfield Infant and Primary, friends, family and others who support the cause to join her and her husband in making a difference.

“I can think of no greater motivation to complete this challenging journey than knowing that your encouragement and generosity will help give back to a school that has educated, inspire and shaped so many lives,” she said.

Christine told The Gleaner that a major fire in 1943 destroyed the school’s original building, killing seven children, all boys, including her uncle. The fire was caused when lightning struck the wooden mission house of a church in Flamstead, St James which was being used to house the lower school.

“This makes me want to do something in giving back to the school,” she said.

She added that her time at Vaughansfield was a positive period in her life and that she considered giving back to the institution a worthwhile endeavour.

Christine said she hoped the couple would surpass their fundraising target.

The couple, who live in the Bronx, New York, are encouraging the public to support 'Pedaling with a Purpose', which up to yesterday had raised US$1,020.

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