19 Year Old Sets off Around the World…On a Unicycle!

School in a bagEd Pratt, a 19 year old from Curry Rivel in Somerset, sets off this Saturday for an epic journey around the world – on a unicycle. This has never been done before and is a planned 18-month trip covering some 18,000 miles. And he’s aiming to raise £7,500 for charity whilst he’s at it.

Ed Says: “My goal is to become the first person ever to officially circumnavigate the globe on one wheel. The ride isn’t about getting around as quickly as possible, but experiencing and engaging with the countries I pass through. I will be camping as much as possible to give me the flexibility of where to sleep and also drastically cut down on accommodation costs. The tent, sleeping bag, cooking stove and everything else will be carried in two custom-made panniers attach front and back of the unicycle.

He adds: “Most of the appeal of the world ride comes from the fact that nobody has ever done it. To achieve the world first would be pretty special. People do it on bikes all the time, so what’s to stop anyone attempting this feat on a unicycle? I’m also keen to meet and interact with new people on my journey and I’ve found that the unicycle, through the interest it creates, is a great way to do this.”

Ed is raising money for School in a Bag, an initiative run by the Piers Simon Appeal. Chosen by Ed as the charity is based locally to him, just 13 miles away (or an hour’s unicycle ride!), he wanted to support a charity that is also in Somerset, but provide aid internationally. Distributing SchoolBags, red rucksacks filled with stationery and eating utensils to poor, orphan and vulnerable children around the world, Ed aims to raise enough money to fund 500 of them. What drew Ed to the charity is that the concept is transparent – you see exactly where your money goes and donating just £15 will deliver one SchoolBag to one child.

Luke Simon, Founder of School in a Bag, said: “When Ed contacted us to say what he planned to do and that he wanted to raise money for us whilst he was doing it, we were really excited to be a part of his amazing journey. What makes it even more special is that he will be travelling through some of the countries where we’ve delivered SchoolBags, and we’re hoping he may even be able to visit some of the schools and communities where they’ve gone – a SchoolBag is an amazing thing to them so if Ed turns up on his unicycle, they’ll be blown away!

He adds: “We’d like to take this opportunity to wish Ed all the very best and thank him for choosing to help School in a Bag. We look forward to keeping up with his blog as he makes his way across the world.”

Ed will be blogging and updating his social media pages whilst he’s away so please follow his journey via the following channels:

For further information on Ed’s adventure, please visit: www.worldunicycletour.com

For his fundraising page, please visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/WorldUnicycleTour

To follow Ed on Twitter: www.twitter.com/worldunicycle (@WorldUnicycle)

To follow Ed on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MrEdPratt

To follow Ed on You Tube: www.youtube.com/user/worldunicycletour