The Sicily Divide
10-17 OCT
Photo by Valentina Locatelli on Unsplash.
What is For Charity.
For Charity was established by Paul Tonkes to support disadvantaged children’s education in Việt Nam by contributing to Assist Việt Nam’s 2026 programme and emphasising the “importance of education”, with support from Paul’s department at Core5 Việt Nam through its CSR initiative.
For Charity has tied up with Assist Việt Nam an established development organisation with over 20 years of experience in partnering with corporations on CSR initiatives to co-create projects with measurable, scalable, and sustainable impact over the longer-term.
Paul & Hung are taking on the formidable Sicily Divide this October.
Over 7 days, traversing a gruelling 430 km (267.19 mi) with a daunting elevation of around 9,000 m (29,500 ft), hoping to raise ₫150,000,000 for disadvantaged children.
The trail blends adventure and discovery, deliberately avoiding major roads and following quiet backroads, abandoned rail‑trails, gravel and dirt tracks that present challenging climbs and rewarding descents, cross vast wheat fields, traverse rugged hills and deep valleys, and pass through small, ancient villages in Sicily’s interior.
Pledge your support for their ride. All funds will go in their entirety to Assist Việt Nam‘s 2026 scholarship programme for disadvantaged children in Việt Nam.
What is the Sicily Divide 🇮🇹
It is a permanent, self-supported, epic cycling route of roughly 430 kilometres (267.19 miles)that spans Sicily from the West coast to the East coast.
The scenic route is a constantly changing tapestry of stunning lakes & forests, remote interiors and the wild. It starts on the east coast near the historic salt pans of Trapani and finishes in Catania with a breathtaking view of the magnificent Mount Etna on the west coat.
Background photo by Giuseppe Famiani on Unsplash.
How does the pledge work
Paul & Hung hope to raise ₫150,000,000. A minimum donation of ₫700,000 is required, but you are welcome to pledge any amount that is higher. Once you pledge an amount, you can choose to donate immediately or after 7 days once they finish their full 430 km.
Paul & Hung’s epic & daunting 8-day itinerary across the Sicily Divide!
Pledge now!
The Papaya Story
(How Paul & Hung met)
Paul Tonkes and Doan Van Hung connected within a group of more than ten friends at a restaurant called Papaya about 15 years ago. Though lives diverged, three members – Paul, Minh & Hung stayed close through their love of cycling — bonding over long rides and shared celebrations.Their friendship thrives on adventure and joy!
Our Partners
Core5 Vietnam a part of Indochina Kujima is actively participating with For Charity and Assist Vietnam for its 2026 program which has developed a scholarship program for disadvantaged students with excellent academic performance in secondary school and organising activities for schools to instil the “importance of education.”
Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) focusses on achieving sustainable impact consistently through its competencies in project management, communication & visibility, and monitoring & evaluation. Their extensive network of partners further facilitate the scaling of impact.
Our supporters
For Charity is grateful for all the help from our supporters .
