The Qatar Sandstormers, a team of cyclists representing Qatar in the 2013 Global Biking Initiative, have raised over QR160,000 for the Beitak Beiti initiative, in association with the Sheikh Eid Charitable Foundation.
The amount will be used to support more than 200 poor and disadvantaged families from all nationalities without the basic necessities to live a decent life in Qatar. Basic necessities include refrigerators, air conditioners and safe cooking stoves.
Qatar Sandstormers braved a tough 850km journey from Paris to Neuss covering France, Luxemburg, Belgium and Germany to raise awareness for the Beitak Beiti initiative while securing the funding to support their pledge. The Sandstormers were also recognised by the Global Biking Initiative organisers as the team that  raised the most funds.
Team Captain and Qatari national Marouf Tirad Mahmoud said: “The team’s hard training, fundraising and marketing activities have all contributed to our great success this year. The Qatar Sandstormers stood out very clearly from 400 other cyclists from 25 countries. It was very energising going through European cities and hearing “GO QATAR” come out of street cafes and rolling cars.”
Mahmoud said  that the team would build on the success and develop and expand the team’s charity and sponsorship activities during the 2014 season. “We have raised the bar in terms of what country teams are capable of contributing during the Global Biking Initiative, so my focus will likely extend to better represent Qatar during these European rides and organise similar events at home,” he added.
Abdullah al-Kaabi from Sheikh Eid Charitable Foundation said: “We would like to express our thanks and appreciation of the Sheikh Eid Community who contributed and helped in meeting the needs of the poor and underprivileged families, from companies to banks to individuals. The charitable efforts of our partners reflect the sense of community and bond between the sponsors and the families.”
Sponsors of Qatar Sandstormers are  IWC, Moseco Qatar, Salam International, Vodafone Qatar, Qatar Airways, Abdullah Abdulghani, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (Authorized by the QFC Regulatory Authority) and 222 Agency, as well as several individual sponsors.
The Global Biking Initiative was established in 2009 by Vodafone employees worldwide with the goal of allowing individual groups to raise funds for their own nominated charities by organising long distance cycling events across the globe. In 2012, The Qatar Sandstormers raised QR36,000 to fund scholarships, allowing marginalised and disadvantaged students in Kailali,  a remote rural area regularly affected by flooding to continue their secondary education.