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IT sounds like an impossible mission, but a Creswick couple have put their feet to the pedals and cycled 25 countries to raise thousands for charity. Dan Rule and Jess Mumford left Creswick on their bikes last September. From there they cycled to the Clare Valley and then to the Northern Territory. "After that we needed to cheat a bit so we caught a flight to East Timor and began our international cycle from there," Mr Rule said. But on the road in Darwin, people were amazed by the duo's trek and often asked where they could donate to their cause. "We didn't really have any charity set up so it was there we decided to raise money for Ultimate Peace," Ms Mumford said. The youth organisation specialises in Ultimate Frisbee, an American-born limited-contact team field sport played with a flying disc. It sets up camps for teenagers in war-ravaged communities in the Middle East with the purpose of providing a positive, educational, multicultural exper- ience that brings together youth from opposite sides of the conflict. From East Timor the duo cycled to Singapore, then China and then it was on to Europe. "We wanted to cycle because it is such an incredible way to see a country," Ms Mumford said. "It allows you to stop every 20 kilometres and speak to the locals and get to know the place you are passing through." The couple also attended the Ultimate Peace camp in Israel in June. To date, they have raised more than $7000 contributed by people from all over the world. "The donations will help run the camp next year," Mr Rule said. "It can be quite costly because the camp is a sleep-away camp and it costs money for the kids to attend, but it is a great project and brings together teenagers who will hopefully become the leaders of the Middle East for tomorrow." Creswick Community Bank director Michael Daunt said after hearing about the couple's plight, the branch was compelled to donate $1200 to their cause. "I thought this is an amazing feat that they want to do from Creswick to London," he said. "They were doing it at their own expense, a completely self-funded ride with all donations along the way going directly to Ultimate Peace." Ms Mumford and Mr Rule now have their sights set on India, where they plan to spend seven months volunteering in Chennai. For details or to donate to their cause visit creswicktolondon.com/ melissa.cunningham@fairfaxmedia.com.au

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