Sam Richardson with four former Conyers School, Yarm, friends set off on 1st July on a 25,000km, life changing year long journey that will take in 25 different countries.
Sam, who is a Level 2 Tennis Assistant at Yarm Tennis Club, will be sorely missed by all the children at the Club who have benefited from his help and friendship over the past few years. He is seen here on his last night at Yarm with the children at their weekly mini tennis session, having been presented with a sponsorship cheque by the club.
"Mission Oz" as they call it, heads for France, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia before flying to Singapore, Indonesia and Australia. Overall they aim to raise £10,000 each for Health Poverty Action and the Macmillan Cancer Support centre at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.
The group hope to see first hand Health Poverty Action work in China, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Find out more about "Mission Oz" and make donations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Mis-sion-Oz-20122013/130645077040755
We wish them well on this fantastic journey.