Sponsor couple for Himalayan tuk-tuk challenge

Most people dream of getting married, buying a house and having children, but after achieving this, Farrarmere residents Vicky and Dave Carney plan to live in the wilderness – for a while at least.

The couple is joining the Rickshaw Run Himalaya in September for the first time.

“I have a to-do list before I turn 50 years old,” said Vicky (47).

ALSO READ:

Young goalkeeper learning the value of money by raising funds for Madeira football tour

“This appealed to my husband and I as something to do together.”

The Rickshaw Run is an event where teams drive auto rickshaws along various routes. Contestants are educated in one day about how to fix a tuk-tuk (three-wheeled vehicle) and given one day to customise it.

They spend the rest of their seven days using different routes to reach their destination with no assistance from the organising company.

“We have to fend for ourselves, if our tuk-tuk breaks, we have to fix it,” Dave (46) said.

“We have to travel in a place (Himalayas) we have never been to before and figure out where to sleep and basically just how to live, especially because the temperature will drop to -2°C.”

Vicky explained this was appealing because there is a charity element.

“We are looking for a sponsor to help us during this quest,” Vicky explained.

The two charities to benefit from the couple’s travels are Cool Earth (chosen by the organisers) and their chosen NPO, Down Syndrome Association Pretoria/Tshwane.

“Our request is that a corporate sponsors a monetary amount towards every kilometre we travel. The total we receive will be split between the charities,” Vicky said.

The nine-day journey will commence on September 6 to 14, allowing two days for the preparation of the tuk-tuk and seven days for travelling from Shimla to Leh.

“We calculated that we will be travelling for approximately seven hours a day, which is about 170km daily,” Dave explained.

Accompanied by another friend, Greg Haskins (from the UK), the three is excited about the journey because they will learn about the culture and travel along some of the highest peaks in the world.

“We will be going as high up as 17 000 feet,” Dave explained.

“I am afraid of having an altercation with a truck because we are driving in a tuk-tuk.”

Vicky is afraid of falling off a cliff, but not even these fears will stop them from conquering what they deem will be one of the craziest trips they planned.

“We are planning to have a few roadshows as well, so we can add the companies names as branding on the tuk-tuk to advertise their business as we travel,” she said.

Companies that would like to sponsor the journey can email Vicky on vickycarneysa@gmail.com

Follow us on these platforms:

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp: 079 431 1217
Instagram: benonicitytimes.co.za

For more #hyperlocal news at your fingertips, visit Boksburg Advertiser, Springs Advertiser, Brakpan Herald, African Reporter and Kathorus Mail.