Pub trio plan landmine trek

A BASQUE, a Breton and a Northern Irishman - all living and working in Lewes - are to walk across Vietnam to raise funds for the clearance of landmines across the world and to help those scarred by their effect.

Yannick Vuillemey, 33, a French Basque who has worked in the Lewes area as a chef for the past 10 years, has already trekked across Namibia for the Mines Advisory Group.

He is joined for the Vietnam expedition by Laurence Mullan, 33, from County Tyrone, who is manager at The Pelham Arms, and Pierre Le Bihan, 31, from Brittany, who is head chef at The Pelham.

The three, who officially launched their appeal this week, hope to raise at least 8,000 for the world-wide charity, once backed by Princess Diana.

The three are paying their own costs for the two week-long expedition, which includes a seven day jungle trek across 100 miles of the de-militarised zone of Vietnam between Hanoi and Dong Ha.

Yannick, in charge of expedition logistics, has also worked during the past 10 years at The White Lodge and The George Inn, Alfriston, and at The Foresters, East Hoathly.

Said Yanneck: I have always believed the landmine clearance cause is a worthy one.

I raised 3,000 for MAG on a trek across Namibia and it was during a conversation with Laurence and Pierre that the idea of crossing Vietnam itself came to mind.

The trio leave in September next year but are holding several fund raising events before then, including a sponsored balloon race in July at the Baxter Field, preceded in earlier months by a fete, a race evening, a raffle and an auction.

Donors can contact Yanneck at The Pelham or through a charity account at Lloyds, Lewes, called MAG Vietnam Challenge 2002.