UK-based company, The Adventurists have raised Rs 60 lakh for charity during their Rickshaw Run from Shillong to Goa. The Adventurists Richshaw run saw 47 teams consisting of over 113 participants hailing from countries like England, USA, New Zealand, Finland, Belguim Australia and Canada take part in the race. The spring edition of Rickshaw Run' was flagged off from Shillong on April 11 to reach Colva, after covering over 4,000 km. An autorickshaw run from Shillong to Goa for a cause.
British adventurer Tom Morgan launched his third adventure rally and his second in India today to raise funds for charity and adventure.
People of different professions from 10 countries, mainly from the UK, took out the Spring Autorickshaw Run 2009 from here to Goa.
The State Central Library premises here today witnessed an array of autorickshaws lined up to participate in the run.
Flagging off the spring edition of the autorickshaw run, Governor R.S. Mooshahary wished the teams the very best and hoped that such events would attract more tourists here.
In 2004, with just six teams Morgan organised the first car rally from London to Mongolia. In the Mongol Rally, Morgan wanted to bring in a bit of risk in the journey aimed at providing funds for the less privileged.
The second adventure rally by small cars was from Kochi to Darjeeling in January 2007 covering a distance of 3,500km.
“We hope to cover a distance of 3,000km from here to Goa within two to three weeks in the spring edition of autorickshaw run,” says Daniel Wedgwood from England, the organiser of the rally.
According to him, there is a lot of fun involved in this adventure trip organised by the Adventurist Autorickshaw Run.
Teams that would raise at least £1,000 in their home towns could take part in the run and the amount would be spent for the welfare of SOS Children in India, including Shillong, Wedgwood said.
A portion of the amount will also go to FRANK water project, an organisation based in the UK.
The project provides clean drinking water facilities that have helped many countries, including India, mostly in village and at the community level.
The organisers initially helped set up the filtering process which will be eventually run by villagers. Accor-ding to Wedgwood, there is a lot of fun involved in this trip. “We also hope to raise £60,000 (Rs 40 lakh in Indian currency) through this, he said.
The teams have to bear their food and board expences.
Among the 47 autorickshaws, there is a total of 100 participants from India, besides the UK, the US, New Zealand, Finland, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Scotland and Ireland.
Lawyers, doctors, teachers and journalists are among others participating in the autorickshaw run.
Sitting in the driver’s seat, Lucy, a lawyer from the UK, said she wanted to be part of the adventure as it also aimed at helping the poor. Echoing her, compatriot Chris Clarke said there was joy in the journey as they were trying to help the needy.
