Story
The Elephant Charge
The Elephant Charge is an annual event which challenges teams of cars and motorbike to complete a challenging course through the bush of Zambia. The shortest distance between several fixed point wins. Drivers come from all over the world to compete in the challenge and the Elephant Charge has raised over US$1,031,000 over twelve years. The money raised is distributed to most of the conservation organisations working across Zambia, including the Kasanka Trust, Conservation Lower Zambezi, Wildlife Environment and Conservation Society of Zambia, and many others.
This year has been a difficult year for conservation efforts which rely on tourism for its income. The parks, the lodges, the camps are empty, the people who work in tourism are unemployed, and those who indirectly benefit have lost their income. This year is all the more important to raise funds to support conservation and the people who depend on it. The Elephant Charge is going ahead in a socially distanced manner the weekend of 26th September.
The Duchesses of Hazzard
The Duchesses of Hazzard was founded in 2009. Our members then were Theola, Juliet, Clare, Sarah, Joan Irwin and our friend Jo Bicknell. Despite performing perfect figures of eight we completed the course and were placed 2nd. We won lots of prizes that year. Since then the Duchesses have entered 8 charges and have raised a total of over US$41,000.
The Duchesses usually raise money for the charge – the entry charge (US$400) and minimum pledge (US$1000) - by holding events which we are unable to do this year, which is why we have set up this fund raising page.
Our dear friend and founder member of the Duchesses, Jo, died in June. Jo was the most courageous Duchess, completing several charges, no obstacle too much, fiercely committed and made the charge so much fun. She was as courageous in her illness, strong, amusing and committed. This year the Duchesses have come out
of retirement and are doing the charge in her memory. We will be thinking of her every second of our journey through the bush on Saturday 26th September.
The Duchesses are donating a trophy called GOJO for the most courageous team that reaches the finish.