Rickshaw Run Spring 2011. Cochin, Kerala - Shillong, Meghalaya
The mighty Rickshaw Run rolls into town again. People of Cochin should take heed;
this event is particularly interesting and highly addictive!
After an extremely successful finish from the last event, the organisers of the
Rickshaw Run are thrilled to be returning to Cochin. “Cochin is the spiritual home
of the Rickshaw Run" says Matthew Dickens, event manager. “This is where the
inaugural event started from, and each time we return to Cochin it gets better and
better." This time there are 70 teams taking part, driving roughly 5000kms in two
weeks in auto rickshaws. "The teams this time have a veritable monster of a journey
looming on their horizon - practically the whole length of India in just a fortnight -
that too in the devastating pre-monsoon heat" says Matthew with a knowing smile
"The magic of Kerala is something that completely bowled me over when I visited
for the first time, and I hope the teams will experience some of that magic when they
arrive." States Thomas Morgan, CEO of the UK-based company running the event -
'The League of Adventurists International Ltd'. From Cochin the 70 teams will be
making their way North and East to Shillong, Meghalaya, with the aim of raising vast
sums of money for Indian-based charities.
There are two official charities for this event – International Rescue Corps and
SCAD. International Rescue Corps are a specialist Urban Search and Rescue team
responding to natural and man-made disasters all over the world using specialist
skills and equipment to rescue trapped people. Their mission is ‘United To Save Life’
and this ethos applies to every action of their volunteer specialists. After receiving a
request for help, they aim to mobilise a self-contained rescue team within 24 hours.
They are registered with the United Nations, allowing them to operate primarily as
search and rescue team under their co-ordination in times of international disaster
such as the recent tsunami that devastated Asia.
SCAD work in many different areas such as teaching, training, healthcare, setting up
self-help groups and promoting sustainable environmental development. They strive
to empower the most disadvantaged and underprivileged rural communities by uniting
them and making them the architects of their own development. This is achieved by
encouraging them to look at the root of their problems, and taking a holistic approach
to addressing them as a community.
The last Rickshaw Run alone raised nearly a Crore for charities in India. This time
hopefully the teams on this Run can top that and help towards making the world a
better place for those in need.
The launch preparations are looking to be the best yet. The Parade Ground will
host a friendly cricket match on Saturday 16th at 15:00pm, and then the following
day will act as be the launch pad for this light hearted, adventurous event, that
carries a very serious and charitable message. The teams will then be flagged off
at 10:00am on Sunday 17th April 2011 after some speeches and ceremonies have
taken place. “Kerala of course is one of the best known tourist destinations in India
and this event will only help to add to the majestic and mysterious aura that Cochin
exudes. The sight of our fleet of beautifully decorated rickshaws driving off with the
backwaters and Chinese fishing nets in the background is a photo op that few will
want to miss.” adds Mr Dickens.
"A huge thank you needs to go to the people of Kerala, and indeed the people of India
as a whole. Without the smiles, waves, interest and bewildered looks we get across
the country, this event would simply not be the same. We cordially and happily invite
all of Cochin to attend the cricket match at the Parade Ground on Saturday 16th April
at 15:00pm, and again on Sunday 17th April 2011 at 10:00am for the final ceremonies
and official launch." Says Mr Morgan.
The League of Adventurists International currently organise five events worldwide
including the Mongol Rally and the Mongol Derby which are the largest car rally in
the world and the longest horse race in the world respectively. For more information
please check out the websites below.
www.theadventurists.com
http://www.intrescue.org/
www.rickshawrun.com
http://www.scad.org.in/
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