The Challenge

Thanks for checking the page out! We are Daniel Satch and Adriaan Durandt and this summer we are taking part in the 'Mongol Rally' to raise money for SSAFA - Armed Forces Charity.

My brother William Satch MBE, is an ambassador for this charity and it is very close to my heart as I joined the army back in March 2012 and am now currently serving in the Army Reserves whilst studying a degree at University.

The Mongol Rally thunders over 10,000 miles across the mountains, desert and steppe of Europe and Asia each summer. There’s no backup, no support and no set route; just you, your fellow adventurists and a tiny 1000cc car, motorbike or any other ridiculously unsuitable vehicle.

The rally takes place over 10,000 miles of pothole-riddled "roads" in unsupported adventuring chaos starting from London, finishing in Mongolia and onto Russia. An average of 250 teams in cars the size of a lawnmower (1 Litre Engines) enter the rally each year, all for the sheer adventure and ambition to raise as much money as possible for their chosen charity.

Further to this, after completing our mission – we are also bravely (or stupidly) intending to drive back to London, just in time to make the first 9am University lecture of the academic year.

Dates of challenge (1st July to end of September)

The route

Due to the nature of these things called visas, we unfortunately have had to make several visa applications, planning the route well in advance. Boring right..?

Above is the projected course we are planning to take, with a few tacky tourist hotspots included on the way. We will be travelling through 21 countries and hopefully more on our way back!

Who Are We?

Daniel is a former Royal Engineer soldier, who enlisted when he was 16. He is now a member of the TAVR and studying for a sports science degree at Oxford Brookes.

Adriaan is a New Zealander and studied engineering in Australia. He is currently working and living in Brisbane.

They met while travelling and were keen to undertake this epic journey in order to raise funds for two great charities, while developing their own understanding of differing global cultures, attitudes and social interactions.

We decided on this team name because the lime green beast we are driving in, was my Grandad’s noble steed for over 15 years, before he passed away 4 years ago - at the ripe old age of 99.

This is what we look like!

Where we met…

Summer of 2018. ‘Camp Chipinaw’. Working at a children’s Summer Camp for 2 months.

After travelling across America together after camp, we decided that we want to see more of the World and its diverse cultures.

Together we enjoy, the freedom on the road and experiencing the beauty of the world, whilst meeting, interacting with and learning from so many new people.

The Actual Car…

Our mission will be accomplished in: (998cc’s of absolute POWER)

Our chosen Charity: SSAFA - The Armed Forces Charity

Who are they & Why?

Their vision:

In recognition of their service to the Nation, SSAFA works to ensure that the needs of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families are met in an appropriate and timely way.

Their mission:

They exist to relieve need, suffering and distress amongst the Armed Forces, veterans and their families to support their independence and dignity.

SSAFA provides lifelong support to men and women in the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the British Army and the Royal Air Force, and their families. We also work with veterans of all ages to help them settle into life and work outside the Forces.

Promise:

Founded in 1885, we are the oldest national charity supporting the three Armed Forces, and we are immensely proud of our history. But we know that times are changing, along with the needs of our beneficiaries.

As needs change, we will adapt and improve our services to make sure the people we support get the help they need, now and in the future.

*** The cost of the expedition ***

75% OF DONATIONS WILL GO STRAIGHT TO THE REGISTERED CHARITY (SSAFA).

The other 25% of donations will help cover the logistical cost of the trip:

(visas, insurances, fuel, paying off dirty cops, bail money, etc.)

See below for the Sponsorship packages

I own the Nissan Micra we will be driving in, and the car normally resides in Oxford. I drive daily, so it is in the views of a lot of people, a perfect advertising platform and we have a social media page set up and will have a go-pro documentary of the journey advertising the car in several different places covering a large amount of distance both in the UK, Europe and Asia. This is a big opportunity to advertise your business on our car. We have a limited range of spaces available. Please contact danielsatch@hotmail.com for more details.

Please see rectangular decal for size example.

If you have items that would come in very handy like tools you're just dying to give away, or a whole bunch of travelling snacks would do lovely.

Whatever the monetary value of your gift, it will be appreciated massively.

Feel free to email us at danielsatch@hotmail.com, if you have donations of any kind.

Other Ways You Can Help:

Some people can't contribute, that is entirely understandable, but that doesn't mean you can't be a part of our journey.

Any form of donation will be hugely welcomed; even a share by word of mouth or social media is certainly appreciated.

 Please share with anyone you think might want to be part of this story.

Thank you.

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Daniel and Adriaan