Thank you for visiting the Ironsides fundraising page.  We're raising money for two great charities as part of out participation in the 2007 Mongol Rally. 

The Ironsides team consists of three individuals: Thomas Heitkamp, Joya Taft-Dick and Alex Switzer.

Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. The agency's programs currently reach 7 million people in more than 35 countries. Since 1979, Mercy Corps has provided over $1 billion in assistance to people in 81 nations. Mercy Corps is a nonprofit organization with headquarters in Portland, Seattle, Cambridge, Washington, D.C. and Edinburgh, Scotland.

Mercy Corps pursues its mission through:

Emergency relief services that assist people afflicted by conflict or disaster.
Sustainable economic development that integrates agriculture, health, housing and infrastructure, economic development, education and environment, and local management.
Civil society initiatives that promote citizen participation, accountability, conflict management and the rule of law.

The challenge: travel ¼ of the way around the earth, from London to Mongolia in any car that has an engine with no more than one liter of power.  There are very few rules governing the rally and even less support for the competitors. Teams are on their own to pick their way from checkpoint to checkpoint. As entrants will be driving an outdated shoebox, they will encounter difficulties and will have to continue by
their own means. It is like no other competition in the world, less judged by who finishes first and more by who arrives in Ulaanbaatar with the best story.


Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Mercy Corps Scotland will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

For more information about Mongol Rally and our team please see www.badcolonies.org/ironsides