A FORMER teacher from St Ishmaels will be getting on his bike this month, to help girls all over the world access education, and build themselves a better live.

This month, 65-year-old Peter Munt-Davies will cycle 1,000km along the hilly terrain of the Via de la Plata in Spain.

Joining him will be lifelong friend Mike Phillips, from Newport, also a former teacher.

The pair will be raising money for the Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund (CCLEF) which helps girls across the Commonwealth complete their secondary or high school education in cases where, for economic reasons, this might not otherwise be possible.

The support offered to girls helps cover the cost of schooling and examination fees, safe transportation, school meals, uniform and books, and is tailored to the individual needs of each girl based on their academic potential, individual merit and personal situation.

The CCLEF also considers payments for special training of academically capable girls with physical disabilities.

Peter says he was inspired by the work CCLEF does when he visited Sri Lanka, and saw girls - who would usually have to leave school aged 12 – thriving and growing because of education.

“These were daughters of tea pickers, and they were doing well and had the potential to go to college,” he said.

“It’s inspirational that these girls who have nothing are being helped to reach their potential.”

He added: “Educating women is the only way we’ll change the world.

“If you teach a woman, she can grow and then pass on that knowledge to her own daughters, and to the whole community.”

Peter and Mike have already raised around £1,400 in sponsorship so far, and hope to reach their target of £5,000 by tackling the tricky terrain of the former pilgrimage route, which runs from Seville to Santiago de Compostela, in Galicia.

“It’s going to be very physically demanding,” said Peter, who has been training for the last six months, including twice-weekly spin classes.

Ten years ago, Peter cycled from Hanoi to Saigon on another fundraiser, but said this time will be very different as the pair won’t have any support team backing them.

“It’s just me and my pal on our bikes with all our stuff,” he said.

“This is ‘do it yourself or die!

“But if, by doing this bike ride, I can raise awareness of the vital work carried out by CCLEF as well as raising some money, then it will have been worth it.”

To add to Peter and Mike’s fundraising total, visit justgiving.com/Peter-Munt-Davies.