尋找希望的慈善之旅

山東 仲 寧

海倫·普勞德福特在一家探險公司工作。 目睹時艱，她決心用騎行開啟一次希望之旅。在她的旅程中，她有遇到哪些困難？ 又有何結果和意義呢？

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It's been a tough year for the travel industry, but one cycle tour leader decided not to let 2020 get her down by riding 1,000 miles around the UK in search of Hope.

Helen Proudfoot, who works for adventure company Active England Tours, planned a route seeking out villages called Hope after work dried up during the pandemic to raise money for The Bike Project, a charity that donates refurbished （翻新的） bikes to refugees.

“People were feeling lost and afraid. I wanted to do something positive,” said the 35-year-old.

With just a bike, a tarpaulin（防水油布）, a sleeping bag and some clothes, Helen hit the road in August for a two-week journey from Hope Bridge in Scotland to Hope Cove on the Devon Coast, wild camping or staying at hostels and with friends along the way. The route included villages called Hope in the Peak District and near Wrexham, with visits to mountains and lochs（狹長的海灣） named Hope as well.

“I plotted 10 villages or hamlets called Hope, which sometimes have associated wilds, mountains or valleys. But as I rode I started seeing Hope everywhere: on noticeboards, road names and car number plates. It's all over for those who care to look.”

As well as raising money for charity, Helen hopes her trip will encourage people to get outside when they can and celebrate the UK.

“There are so many incredible places to visit in Britain and being on a bike gives you a different perspective. I'm feeling hopeful for 2021. When people start travelling again I think they will be wanting to be outdoors more and explore what we have and not take things for granted. We've all been through a tough year but as I've found out, there is always hope! ”

So far, Helen has raised more than ￡1,600 for The Bike Project. The charity provides refugees with refurbished bikes so they have a free mode of transport to access food banks, legal advice,healthcare and education.

Reading Check

Ⅰ. Complete the following mind map with only one word for each blank.

Ⅱ. Discussion

What do you think Helen Proudfoot would be cautious about amid her journey for Hope?

Language Study

Complete the sentences with the phrases given in their proper forms.

dry up raise money hit the road feel lost take （it/things） for granted

1. The following morning, I packed up and decided ______and leave the city.

2. Due to the outbreak of the pandemic, many jobs ______last year.

3. Sometimes, we may ______because our life does not always go as we like.

4. When her husband was diagnosed with cancer, the wife has to _______from her friends and relatives.

5. I didn't realize that Melanie hadn't been to college. I suppose I just ______.