Photos: Computer Aid for Castro's Cuba

Computer Aid International is inviting IT professionals to participate in its second annual Cycle Challenge and help bridge the digital divide. The event, a cycle ride across Cuba from 23 February to 3 March 2008, aims to raise enough money to provide at least 1,000 PCs to schools across the developing world, which the charity claims would otherwise have no way of obtaining IT equipment.

The Cuba challenge follows on from a similar challenge earlier this year in Kenya, which saw figures from the UK IT industry and leading technology journalists — including  silicon.com's Will Sturgeon, CNET's Helen Cooke and ZDNet.co.uk's Andrew Donoghue — cycle 400km and raise enough money to supply 600 PCs to 30 schools.

It will cost cyclists £199 to register for the Cuba challenge; participants will then be asked to raise a minimum sponsorship total which also covers the cost of the trip.

"Taking part is the perfect way for the IT industry to help some of the poorest communities in the world, whilst having a great time. The support that the industry showed, from the adventurous people who took part to the hundreds of corporate and individual sponsors, made the last ride a massive success. We are now aiming to eclipse that achievement and provide even more people with the tools to help them work their way out of poverty," said Tony Roberts, Computer Aid's chief executive.

To sign up or find out more, visit the official site or, for an information pack, send a blank email with the subject line "info pack" to cuba@computeraid.org or call Stephen Campbell on 020 8361 5540.