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INTREPID RALLIERS LAUNCH FROM HORSE GUARD’S PARADE FOR EPIC 10,000 MILE CHARITY EXPEDITION

A 79 year old retired surgeon and eleven London Ambulance Service paramedics were some of over 50 ralliers who left Horse Guards Parade on the morning of 9 July 2011 to take part in two epic cross-continental charity fundraising drives.  The Mongolia Charity Rally finishes inUlaanbaatar,Mongoliaand the Roof of the World Rally which finishes inDushanbe,Tajikistanhave enabled organisers Go Help to raise over £500,000 for good causes to date.

Robert Scheneck, 79, is a retired hand surgeon, and his partner Norbert Urtel, 65 are driving an ambulance toMongolia.  Robert said ‘I had been volunteering as a hand surgeon in various parts of the world and was working inMongolialast October.  I’m doing the rally because it seemed like a challenge, and it’s for a good cause’.

A convoy of six decommissionedLondonambulances are also taking part in the Mongolia Charity Rally.  Paramedic Robin Smith, 34 is one of those taking part.  He said ‘London Ambulance Service will be raising funds for MERU, the Chief Executive’s nominated charity.  MERU supports disabled children inLondonand the South East.  This rally is a great opportunity for adventure.’

Jerry Aylmer, 37 is taking part in the Roof of the World Rally.  He said ‘I’m particularly looking forward to driving throughIranandTajikistanbut I’m not looking forward to the border checkpoints.  I’m delighted to be taking part in the Roof of the World Rally – 100% of the money raised will be going to charity.’

David Griffiths, a trustee of Go Help, said ‘These rallies are the ultimate test of our ralliers’ commitment to charity – not only are the undertaking an incredible expedition, they are also providing much needed aid at a time when it is in short supply.”

Over 30 teams are taking part in the two rallies this year.

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Notes for Editors

1. Go Help is a small UK charity that develops innovative fundraising events to fund sustainable health and education projects across Central Asia.  The Mongolia Charity Rally and the Roof of the World Rally are Go Help’s two major fundraising events.  Go Help has worked extensively with a number of partner charities, in particular Save the Children, as well as with government organisations inMongolia andTajikistan.
2. This year, Go Help are working extensively with the London Ambulance Service.  11 LAS staff are taking part in a convoy of 6 decommissioned London ambulances.  The London Ambulance Service teams are raising funds for MERU, a small charity based in Epsom, Surrey, which supports disabled children inLondon and the South East by providing specialist equipment.  MERU is the London Ambulance Service Chief Executive’s nominated charity.
3. The Mongolia Charity Rally involves teams driving from Central London toUlaanbaatar. The rally is approximately 10,000 miles and takes around 30 days.  This year, the Mongolia Charity Rally teams will be raising funds for the Go Help Ambulance Project, which that aims to provide fully functioning emergency ambulances to supplement those already provided by the health service in Mongolia.
4. The Roof of the World Rally involves teams driving from Central London toDushanbe,Tajikistan. The rally is approximately 6000 miles, takes around three to four weeks and includes the second highest road in the world, the stunningPamir Highway.  This year, funds are being raised to support Sanitation in Schools initiative run by our partner charity, Save the Children.  This will bring much needed water and sanitation improvements to 100 schools in rural areas ofTajikistan.

For more information, please contact:

Karen Booth

07890 319977

karen@gohelp.org.uk

Weblinks:

Go Help:  www.gohelp.org.uk

MongoliaCharity Rally: www.mongolia.charityrallies.org/

Roof of the World Rally:  www.roofoftheworld.charityrallies.org/

Save the Children projects in Tajikistan:  www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6153149/

LondonAmbulance Service:  www.londonambulance.nhs.uk

MERU:  www.meru.org.uk