The route was marshalled all the way with first aid cover provided by St John's Ambulance.

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The Commons International Development Committee said dependable tax revenues were a far better route out of poverty than reliance on overseas aid.

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"This significant move not only allows for free movement of the population, but also opens up this key supply route and allows for the provision of humanitarian aid, " it said in a statement.

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"It's not every day you get to see your heroes, " said Lewis Knights, a keen cyclist from Ipswich who a day earlier had ridden the route the professionals are tackling on the first stage in aid of charity.

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The Alabama was en route to Mombasa, Kenya, with a cargo of food aid when it was hijacked about 350 miles off the Somalia coast.

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