UPDATED Jan 13:
As you may well know, the Leith brothers were in India over the Christmas period, taking part in a Charity Rickshaw Rally. We drove an auto-rickshaw 3650km, from Cochin (in the South) to Darjeeling (in the foothills of the Himalayas), in just 10 days. This meant driving 10-12 hours a day (only stopping for petrol), lots of improvised mechanical fixes and many navigational errors (India is rather lacking signs!). Despite having the odds stacked against us, no support vehicle and no mechanical or linguistic knowledge, we managed to make it to the end, ahead of the 2 week target (and 8th out of 34 vehicles).
The auto-rickshaw is not a particularly fast, sturdy, or comfortable vehicle and head and leg room were not ideal! We were willing to suffer these conditions in the name of adventure and of course, because it will benefit some of the many people suffering from poverty in India, as we witnessed firsthand.
Now that we have finished, the rickshaw that we bought with some of the money raised, will be donated to a family in need, thus transforming their lives. All the money not used in purchasing the rickshaw will be go directly to the charity for use as they see fit, to bring most benefit to the needy in India.
To find out more about the rickshaw run, please visit: http://www.rickshawrun.com and to find out more about the charity (MercyCorps) please click the link on the left-hand side.
Please help those struck by poverty by sponsoring us, online. Although we have finished, and have raised so much already, being in India has only strengthened our belief that the cause is a good one and it would be great to make the 1000 pound mark!
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Mercy Corps 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. All of the money raised goes directly to the charity, and does not pay for our expenses.
Many thanks for your support and to all those who have donated so generously already.
