Story
Hi,
Thank you for visiting our fund Raising Page. For the last eight years Lars and I together with a few different friends each year have taken part in Rhino Charge in order to raise funds for a noble cause. All funds raised go towards conservation of ’s Aberdare Ecosystem by building and maintaining a 400km long electric fence around the .
Our sencere thanks goes to all our sponsors over the past eight years, we wouldn't have made it this far without your help.Having moved out of has made it much more challenging and difficult to raise funds. We therefore come to you once again for your help. I humbly ask you to press the "Donate" button on http://www.justgiving.com/Lars-Svensson any amount is highly apreciated.
What’s Rhino Charge? This is an annual off-road motorsport event which is held in since 1989. The competitors have to compete on a grueling cross-country course in 4x4 vehicles; this is a unique and exciting competition that requires bravery and a high level of skill in off-road driving and navigation. The competitors are required to visit 13 points scattered over approximately 100 square kms of rough terrain within a 10 hour period. Competitors are supplied with a 1:50,000 scale map of the venue, co-ordinates of the 13 Control Points and their Start position (at one of the Controls). Each competitor must plot the Control Points on the map and decide his/her route. Navigation is by compass/GPS and the winner is the competitor who visits all controls in the shortest distance (GPS measured). There are normally 60 to 50 4X4 entrants each year. Our Team History Rhino Charge is all about team spirit, expertise in four-wheel-driving, bush navigation, mechanical failures, dealing with the unexpected, and adventure both arduous and character building, a race against time, and whether you are in a team of guys, ladies, or a mixed crew, a personal test of endurance and ability. The Team 2003: Lars Svensson, Florah Svensson, Per Jonson, Peter Savosnick, Graham Roberts, Steve Mandalia Technical problems faced: Time and Team co ordination. Result: 2nd overall! Total funds raised: 2,500 GBP Overview: Beginners luck if I must say. Despite a failed swivel bearing, we managed to secure a second place, and raised cash for the cause. Team 2004: Lars Svensson, Florah Svensson, Per Jonson, Peter Savosnick, Graham Roberts, Technical problems faced: Result: 4th overall! Total Donations: 2,576.56 GBP Overview: Great team work! Good Navigation. The team 2005: Lars and Florah Svensson, Per Jonson, Moiré O’Sulivan, Technical problems: We adopted a too aggressive approach and broke both front and rear winch cables early in the game Result: Course not completed, Not enough team members. Amount Raised: Overview: A very wet and muddy day. Although the course was not completed we had a great time pulling out stuck fellow competitors. The team 2006: Lars and Florah Svensson, Per Jonson, Per Sundsröm, Stefan, Jason. Technical problems faced: Due rear radius arm failure, the course was not completed Result: Course Not completed Total funds raised: 2,500 GBP Overview: Managed to make a great film. Raised funds had a yet another great day. The Team 2007: Lars and Florah Svensson, Per Jonsson, Ralf Huke, Jan Nord, Per Sundsröm Technical problems encountered: Two punctures and Steering failure forced us to retire. Result: Course not completed Total Donations: 4, 186, 00 GBP Overview: The Team 2008: Lars and Florah Svensson, Niklas Huke, Jan Nord, Tor-Gunnar Technical problems faced: Result: Course not completed.
Total funds raised: 4,187.00 GBP
Overview: The Team 2009: Lars and Florah Svensson, Per Jonson, Niklas Huke, Jan Nord, Tor-Gunnar Technical problems encountered: Broken radius arm which was “Jua Kali” fixed. It held until the end Result: Completed 13 check points. 4th overall, 2nd on gauntlet, Total Donations: 4, 186, 00 GBP Overview: What a fantastic day! Why the Aberdares Fence is needed; 1. To stop wildlife marauding onto farm land outside the fence 2. To protect the farming communities and their crops that borders the fence. 3. To curb illegal log extraction. 4. To promote harmony between wildlife and local farmers.5. To prevent illegal entry into the Conservation Area.
Importance of the Aberdares
a, One in three Kenyan’s livelihood is dependent in some way upon the rainfall, rivers, forest and wildlife of the Aberdares - one of the nation’s largest mountain ranges b, Five out of Kenya’s seven largest rivers flow north, west, east and south providing hydro power and water to millions of farmers and seven of Kenya’s twelve towns. c, The people of the nation’s capital, - over 3 million - are entirely dependent on water from the Aberdares d, Over 30% of the nation’s tea production and 70% of its coffee is grown on its foothills and high slopes e, Over one million farmers living on its lower slopes depend upon its rich soils and rainfall. f, It is one of the largest indigenous forests in . g, Its wildlife is profuse. It is the home of several thousand elephant, and buffalo, forest antelope, leopard, the rare and endangered giant forest hog, the largest known number of the highly endangered mountain bongo and over 270 species of birds.