Raised: 67%
Target: £2,000.00
Raised so far: £1,338.00
Donate now

My story

 

Thanks for visiting our fundraising page.

Mongolia – the next steppe

It is full steam ahead for our would-be adventurists, Team Generation Game. Preparations are well underway for the day that father and son, Shane and Ruari Rhodes and, of course, their 10-year-old Skoda Felicia, Polly set out for Ulaanbaatar.

 

There have been first aid courses taken, Russian conversational skills learnt, Advanced Driving certificates earned and sponsorship raised to give the trio the best support possible when they leave for Mongolia on July 18. The starting line has been moved from the traditional location because of the sheer number of entrants for this year’s rally have made it impossible to depart from Hyde Park and competitors will now begin their journey from Goodwood.

 

In the mood for a bit more historic racetrack, the Rhodes men plan to take Polly for a spin around the Nürburgring before leaving Germany to work their way through the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Ukraine, Russia and “all the Istans” and back through the Russian Steppes en-route to the finish line in Outer Mongolia.

 

Howe Engineering of Great Hormead have carried out work on the sub-car and Hayes Garage, Clacton, have assisted with preparations and servicing to ensure Polly survives any trials and tribulations that come the her way with Sign Team, Molehill Green tattooing Polly with details of the team's quest and The Burning Question, fire and chimney specialists based in Edinburgh, providing capital to help keep them, and their informative bodywork, on the road.

 

The kind people at Look what we found! will be providing fuel for the men in the form of one gourmet meal-in-a-bag and a soup each every day for the duration of their voyage. Polly however is still looking for volunteers to help keep her tank full and rubber between her and the (unpaved) road.

 

Fund-raising is continuing in earnest with plans for a stand at the Clavering fete and Clacton Motor Show, to reach more sponsors for the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation (CNCF) and Great Ormond Street Hospital. The father-son team are also hoping to attract further corporate sponsors to lighten the financial burden of paying for visas, flights and other essentials.

 

On Saturday, June 13, The Butchers Arms near Great Dunmow is playing host to a charity Open Day with a raffle, games for all the family, a barbeque and music in the evening to accompany a buffet dinner. Camping pitches will be provided for those wishing to brave the elements over night and publican Mark Powell will be cooking breakfast.

 

The camping will continue on the road and when the team finally reach Mongolia (hopefully in a little less than a month from the off) Shane and Ruari will spend time in the Altai Mountains in the company of Wolves, Mongolian Brown Bears and Snow Leopards, 18 species of buzzard and the Przewalski's Horse, the oldest breed of horse in the world.

 

The team have been invited to visit the Blue Sky Ger Village, a safe haven for some of the homeless children on Ulaanbataar set up by CNCF in 1997 based on traditional nomadic ger settlements. They plan to also visit real nomadic villages and ancient Buddhist temples.

 

For a map of their route, to keep up on the team’s progress or to sponsor them, visit www.bespoketouring.com/mongol and follow the links on the first page.


Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSHCC) 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.

So please dig deep and sponsor us now!

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity (GOSHCC) 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.

Sorry for paying up so late. Well done! Donation by Alison Farley 13/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Well done! Donation by Adam Clucas 21/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Paul O'Connor 10/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Well done! Good to hear you're back in one piece. Donation by David Ogilvie 19/08/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

I can't believe I am so shockingly late in sponsoring you! Hope you had an awesome time! Donation by Liz Tracey 18/08/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Best of luck to you both! Donation by Colin Baker 19/07/09  

£20.00

A very kind donation from Harriet and Nigel Holder Donation by Shane Rhodes 15/07/09  

£25.00

Good luck! Donation by Andrew Berrill 12/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Tendring Show donations Donation by Shane Rhodes 12/07/09  

£30.00

Donation by Robert Cater 11/07/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck guys! Donation by Duncan Laird 10/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck to the 21st century's answer to Ghenghis Khan, but in reverse (which I have always understood to be the preferred gear in a Skoda anyway!). Donation by Michael Fletcher 06/07/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Donation by Nick Johnstone 29/06/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Robert Woodhouse 24/06/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Have a safe trip & enjoy Donation by Pete & Edwina Evans 23/06/09  

£10.00

Donation by Katie Charlton 22/06/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Jessica Rosenthal 21/06/09  

£20.00

Donation by Beckie Dean 20/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Gary Weller 15/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Tom Aveston 14/06/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Best of luck to the intrepid adventurers Donation by Andrea Pearce 12/06/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

may you rise above all the pot holes (real and metaphorical) that the journey may put in your path! bon voyage! Donation by carolyn pottinger 10/06/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck, Shane & Ruari Donation by Sue & John Moir 08/06/09  

£150.00 + £42.31 Gift Aid

Go Shane and Ruari! Donation by John and Jenny Kelly 07/06/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck you lunatics! Have fun, Rory, Hayley and the girls Donation by Rory Joseph 03/06/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Very good luck to you both (you'll need it!) Donation by Ruth Jaksic 30/01/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Have a good run to Mongolia. You are helping excellent charities - the hard way! Donation by Driverman 26/11/08  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £975.00
  Offline donations: £363.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £245.38

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.