Parkinson's Activist Alex Flynn Ends "Trans America Challenge" in New York, After an Epic 3,500-Mile Journey

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Oct 11, 2012) - After approximately 3,500 miles of cycling, running, and kayaking across America, Parkinson's sufferer and activist Alex Flynn arrived in New York City at the end of his latest mission to increase awareness of the disease and raise funds to find a cure. Accompanying him every inch of the way were two Touareg SUV support vehicles, provided by Volkswagen of America.

Flynn, a trained athlete diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, departed from Santa Monica, Calif. on Wednesday, Sept. 5 and finished in New York City on Oct. 10. The Trans America Challenge is one of a series of endurance events that Flynn will tackle in his mission to travel 10 million meters (6,213 miles) and raise £1 million ($1.5 million USD) for Parkinson's research by 2014. See www.alexflynn.co.uk for more details.

At the end of his epic adventure, Flynn said: "I truly never thought I would still have the energy left to make it to the finish. My legs are testament to the fact that we are all capable of anything in our lifetime, regardless of what challenges we face. I am in awe of all of the support I have had, from The Michael J. Fox Foundation and Volkswagen to the deVere Group, Orbea, the Clorex Group, Garmin, Saucony, Buff, and OMM. We couldn't have done it without the Touaregs: they were the perfect cycling support vehicles."

About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of America, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen's operations in the United States include research and development, parts and vehicle processing, parts distribution centers, sales, marketing and service offices, financial service centers, and its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Beetle, Eos, Golf, GTI, Golf R Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, Passat, CC, Tiguan, Touareg and Routan vehicles through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. Visit Volkswagen of America online at www.vw.com or media.vw.com to learn more.