Qatar’s only charity cycling team, the Qatar Sandstormers (QSS) in partnership with Qatar Cycling Federation (QCF), organised a midnight trail encounter to raise funds for the Sheikh Eid Charity Association’s Beitak Beiti initiative.

Sponsored by Specialised Bicycles, Rayyan Water & Midmac Engineering, the race brought more than 100 sports enthusiasts out to the Lusail Race Track’s open field for a mountain biking challenge and midnight trail run.

The modest amount raised through entry fees helped QSS reach its fundraising goal of QR200,000 to bring basic comforts to more than 200 under-privileged homes in Qatar.

QSS is a team of 16 amateur cyclists sponsored by Vodafone, Qatar Airways, RasGas and QShield. They returned last week after an 850km ride from Budapest to Munich as part of the Global Biking Initiative. This is the third year QSS has represented Qatar in this global cycling event, joined for the first time by teams from the UAE and Jordan.

Marouf Tirad Mahmoud, Qatari national and captain of the Qatar Sandstormers cycling team said:, “The funds raised from this multi-sports charity event will go towards our last stretch for reaching the QR200,000 which we have pledged for the Beitak Beiti initiative. Ramadan is just starting and so it’s a perfect time to encourage night-themed sports events that promote an active lifestyle as well as mixing in a charitable cause during our holy month.” 

“There’s a large and growing cycling community in Qatar and I’ve seen it reflected in the Qatar Sandstormers’ steady development over the past few years. We’re very pleased to be co-organisers of this event and are excited by the strong turnout we have this evening in support of a worthy cause,” said Andrei Fillip, QCF.

The basic necessities provided by Beitak Beiti include refrigerators, air conditioners and safe cooking stoves and are distributed to families of all nationalities residing in Qatar. Direct donations to the initiative can be made through the association’s website: www.eidcharity.net