72-year-old retired vet, Graham Duncanson, is marking 50 years in the profession with a two-year cycling trip from the UK to South Africa. Graham worked at Westover Veterinary Centre in Norfolk for 40 years. He hopes the 8,000km bike ride will raise money for the British Veterinary Association’s charity, the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF).
Graham, who is a trustee of AWF, began his journey on June 4 in Crostwick. The route will take him through Western Europe and into Greece before flying to Ethiopia and cycling through Kenya. He will then follow the Indian Ocean down the African continent’s east coast to Cape Town.
Graham said: “I’m no stranger to life on the road – my first job on qualifying was as a field vet in Kenya which I did for eight years. This will be a real adventure though as I am definitely not an accomplished cyclist, however I look forward to the challenge and to raising money for AWF.
“The route may change slightly as the trip goes along, but that’s down more to government travel advice than my decision – for example, although not currently on my route, I would still like to cycle through Egypt to give a lecture or two, however we’ll need to see what’s possible.”
Graham cycled via London to join the annual AWF Discussion Forum in Westminster, attended by other vets, parliamentarians and key stakeholders from the sector. He continued his trip to the English south coast with TV vet Emma Milne. Along the way Graham will also be working with equine charitable organisations including the Brooke, SPANA and World Horse Welfare, giving equine welfare and dentistry talks, as well as occasionally returning to the UK to lecture and attend AWF Trustee meetings.
For more information on Graham’s journey and the AWR, visit vetduncdares.wordpress.com.
