Features

South Suffolk resident Harley made his name with the band Cockney Rebel, whose hits included Mr Soft and the 1975 number one single Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me). He is now an ambassador to the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and cycled around Cambodia in 2003 to raise money for the charity.

During his trip, Harley donned full body armour to help clear mines left over from conflict. But plenty of work remains, both in Cambodia and globally, and Harley is hoping his next challenge in California will further help the cause: "Clearance will allow them, hundreds of thousands of decent, innocent people, the dignity of simple employment; they need power lines fixed, water wells repaired and much training to stimulate their pitiful economies.

Steve Harley helps de-miners in Cambodia

"They need agricultural land made safe so farmers can grow crops again; survivors need their dignity and children need schools; fishermen need to fish from the river banks again and shepherds are desperate to tend their sheep in safe meadows.
They need the landmines cleared."

California might not sound like the most grueling location for a sponsored bike ride, but Death Valley once held the title of being the hottest place in the world - a whopping 57^oC was recorded in 1913. The snow capped mountains and rolling desert which cross the Nevada border couldn't be further away from the perception of California being a nice place to relax.

Steve Harley takes a break in Cambodia

With this in mind, Harley is grateful that he isn't taking the 350 mile ride alone: "I will ride, as in Cambodia, on the back of a tandem, pilot-ed by my old friend Tom Dickinson. Tom is a retired Detective Chief Super (Fraud Squad) and still as fit as a flea."

Steve Harley's trip to Death Valley begins on 4 March. MAG is looking for other volunteers to make the sponsored trip alongside the pair. Full details can be found on their website.