Kenyans are known the world over for three things,ingenuity, stupidity and our love of remote and beautiful places. In a streak of brilliance the fore fathers decided to create an off-road 4x4 event that combines all three. It became known as the Rhino Charge….

Many regarded 2017 as the hardest Rhino Charge ever held in its 29 year history. With a recently borrowed vehicle off a friend, hopes were running high as 62 teams started the event in Marsabit. Three hours into the event and crossing two of the most inhospitable and densely vegetated ravines imaginable, it was clear that the event was going to be a car breaker! In the course of the day, 40 cars were taken out by the terrain (12 had rolled) and 21 didn’t manage to complete the 13 checkpoint course. One team did complete it and you (we hope) sponsored it.

By sheer luck, we managed to win both the overall Rhino Charge and the Victor Ludorum. A very prestigious prize given to the team with a combination of the highest funds raised and shortest distance travelled over all checkpoints. Being suckers for punishment, we are out yet again to retain the title and the Victor Ludorum in 2018. Moreover thanks to
the generosity and deep pockets of all our supporters we raised
1,591,570/- Kenyan Shillings for conservation, bring our total to over 8.3
million shillings (£64,000) for this fantastic charity.

So onto the fundraising for 2018...

The Team:

Like all good 4x4 enthusiasts, our team of Shenzis have a predisposition for running around the bush, breaking cars, and generally being slightly unhinged…. all of which are prerequisites for a successful charge team.

Crista “Crossfit” Cullen: Is often referred to as the better Cullen! Being better looking, smarter and a better athlete than her older brother. Crista’s sporting career needs little introduction as she holds every medal you can think of, including being a triple Olympian and gold medalist, and also having been named in the world all stars on more than one occasion. She now dedicates her time to training for the Charge…as the team’s long runner, Crista is predominantly in charge of scouting a kilometer ahead of the car following game trails to see where to the team can pass.

Simon “Ballast” Holdsworth: Our navigator on the day and team ‘gadget man.’ If there’s a device that’s needed or a bit of technology most of us have never heard of to monitor topography to vegetation density
algorithms, the chances are that Simon has got it (and has three back up power banks to support it just incase!) When he’s not in the navigators seat, Simon uses his immense size to operate the winch and most importantly keep the car level on any gradient.

Gray “ Man Mountain” Cullen: Gray’s loss of hair is widely attributed not to his wife but to hours spent under our car. Our driver on the day, Gray’s ability to interpret the runners directions over a crackly 4 watt radio were finely tuned during his time playing rugby for the England School Boys and Kenya. Known to the Kenya Rugby world as the FLYING ODEIRO he is also the first and only white man to play for Kenya 7’s.

Guy “Boabab” Western: Our resident bush rat grew up in Kenya and is currently undergoing a PhD at Oxford University. Baobab is great for lifting boulders and trees in the way on event day. Despite his speech impediment, the “Bab” also currently runs a community conservation project monitoring the movement of lion prides and their interactions
with people and livestock in Southern Kenya. He is a man of few
comprehensible words but immense knowledge.

Tony “Chicken legs” Binks: The team’s resident grasshopper, if there’s a mountain climb or an 8km route to scout, Tony’s your man. Famous for the phrase “Guys I think it’s possible,” which is usually followed by the most death defying route possible on the charge! Sadly Tony’s tendency to over-think all aspects of his life does not extent to the charge. Tony is another member who has grown up in Kenya and works full-time in a wide range of conservation projects as well as some of Kenya’s leading exclusive safari outfits.

Peadar “The Bearded One” Brehony: The team’s resident philosopher, think tank and spanner boy, do not be deceived by his thoughtful musings. Hidden below his impressive ginger beard, this Irishman has a predisposition for Guinness, mischief, and creating anarchy. Peadar, a man of Africa, has lived in more countries than he can drink beers. He now lives in Tanzania whilst undergoing a PHD at Cambridge University where he coordinates the Borderlands Conservation Initiative.

Peter “Squirrel” Tyrrell: Being the youngest member on the team, Squirrel is often given the jobs in camp no one else wants and not much changes on the Charge! Squirrel is legend with the ladies, a certified White Water-Rafting Guide and when he’s not kayaking the Yukon for 10 days straight, he can be found between group ranches in the South Rift Valley where he conducts his research projects and Oxford University where he is currently undergoing a PhD.

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