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On 24th October 2009 our 3 teams will be participating in the first ever Moto-Taxi Junket. This entails driving (or more probably carrying) 125cc moto-rickshaws 4000km from Lima (Peru) to Ascuncion (Paraguay) in just 2 weeks! On the way we will cross the Andes, the Salt Flats of Bolivia and the Chaco swamps. There might also be a little winding pass called "the Road of Death" - but we've told our families that this was named after the D'eath dynasty who funded its construction and we'd be grateful if everyone could play along with this.

Our 3 teams are:

3 Wheels of Solace: Simon Hughes, Navin Chohan

Rickshaw Royale: Scot Henney, James Watts

From Rickshaw With Love: Simon Lamb, Nick Gibbons

The entire trip will be funded by ourselves - including moto-taxis, butlers, hand maidens, spare butlers and a BBQ (in case we end-up stranded in the Andes and eating Simon Lamb....which could take a few years and would itself be worthy of sponsorship!)

However, by participating in what must be one of the most stupid adventures ever devised, we also want to raise at least £3000 for Operation Smile - a charity that provides free reconstructive surgery for children with facial deformities. These can interfere with the ability to breathe, eat, drink and speak (eg cleft palate).

In the UK most cleft cases are repaired in the first year of a child's life; however in the developing world families are often too poor and many do not even know treatment is available for them. Over 75% of cleft cases in the developing world go untreated, often resulting in children living a lifetime of isolation; unable to go to school or make friends; distanced from their communities because of a facial deformity that can be repaired for only £150, in as little as 45 minutes.

All money raised will go towards Operation Smile projects in Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay.

Please visit the team websites to keep up to date with our progress:

3 Wheels of Solace
Rickshaw Royale
From Rickshaw With Love

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Operation Smile United Kingdom gets your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.